September’s Latino Independence Days: A Month of Freedom

flags of latin american countries fly behind performers wearing culturally traditional clothing
Luz Media

Ever noticed how September in Latin America is just one big celebration? As we wave goodbye to summer and avoid winter as long as we can, the streets come alive with parades, music, and festivities. Many Latin American countries celebrate their freedom this month, commemorating their hard-fought battles for independence from colonial domination. Let’s dive into these significant days and understand what makes each unique.


Brazil: September 7, 1822 – "Dia da Independência"

As the Portuguese Royal family sought refuge in Brazil during the Napoleonic Wars, the colony's status grew. When King João VI returned to Portugal in 1821, his son, Dom Pedro I, stayed behind. Amidst growing discontent and pressures for independence, Dom Pedro I declared Brazil an independent empire, making a smoother transition from colony to sovereign nation.

In the grand city of São Paulo, Prince Dom Pedro I shouted the famous "Independência ou Morte!" which means "Independence or Death!" This moment marked Brazil's liberation from Portuguese rule. Every year, Brazilians celebrate with military parades, concerts, and family gatherings. And don’t forget to try the brigadeiros, a delicious chocolate treat that's a staple during the festivities.

Brazil: September 7, 1822 \u2013 "Dia da Independ\u00eancia"

Image Credit: Igor Soares on Wikimedia Commons

Mexico: September 16, 1810 – "Grito de Dolores"

No, Cinco de Mayo isn’t Mexico’s Independence Day. The roots of Mexican independence began with the desire for social and land reforms. The native and mestizo populations were growing weary of Spanish domination and the privileged Criollo class (those of Spanish descent born in the New World). This culminated in the early hours of September 16th, when the priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang the bell of his church in Dolores, calling the people to revolt against Spanish rule. This uprising marked the beginning of a tumultuous decade-long struggle for Mexican independence.

Arguably one of the most lively and heartfelt of celebrations, Mexico's Grito de Dolores is famous worldwide. At the stroke of midnight on September 15th, the president and thousands of citizens echoed the cry of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a priest who beckoned his countrymen to rise against Spanish rule. Fireworks, ringing bells, and shouts of "Viva Mexico!" saturate the air. The following day is a national holiday filled with parades, mariachi music, and an array of Mexican delicacies.

Mexico: September 16, 1810 \u2013 "Grito de Dolores" Celebration

Image Credit: Taylor on Wikimedia Commons

Chile: September 18, 1810 – "Fiestas Patrias"

While the exact reasons for Chile's desire for independence from Spain were multi-faceted, they were intensified by Napoleon's invasion of Spain, which threw the Spanish monarchy into disarray. Chile's Criollo leaders saw this as an opportunity. On September 18, 1810, they established a national junta in the name of the deposed king Ferdinand VII, a move that initiated the path towards full independence, which was achieved after years of conflict.

So, while it began on September 18th, Chile's celebration extends into the 19th, making it a two-day jubilee. The Fiestas Patrias, or national parties, include rodeos, dance performances of the Cueca (Chile's national dance), and communal meals featuring empanadas and chicha. The love for the homeland is palpable on these days as Chileans unite in pride and joy.

Chile: September 18, 1810 \u2013 "Fiestas Patrias" Celebration

Image Credit: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile on Flickr

Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua: September 15, 1821

Yes, you read that right! Five nations celebrate their independence from Spain on the same day. This joint liberation led to a shared history of celebrations.

The journey to independence for these five nations was interconnected. As Napoleon's conquests destabilized Spain, murmurs of independence grew louder in Central America. Inspired by the broader Latin American movements, local leaders in Guatemala, which was then the regional capital of Central America under Spanish rule, proclaimed their independence from Spain on September 15, 1821. The declaration was quickly endorsed by the neighboring provinces, leading to the joint celebration we witness today.

However, it's worth noting that following this, the newly independent provinces formed a short-lived federation known as the United Provinces of Central America. It eventually dissolved due to internal conflicts, leading to the emergence of the separate Central American nations we know today. Each country, however, puts its own spin on the day:

  • Costa Rica: A torch, symbolizing freedom, is carried all the way from Guatemala to Costa Rica in a relay race.
  • El Salvador: You’ll find vibrant street carnivals and traditional foods, including pupusas and tamales.
  • Guatemala: Residents release countless blue and white balloons, reflecting their national flag's colors.
  • Honduras: The streets come alive with parades featuring students from all over the country.
  • Nicaragua: The sounds of marimba fill the air, and traditional dances like the Palo de Mayo are performed.

Image Credit: Charlie Marchant on Wikimedia Commons

These independence celebrations aren’t just about freedom from colonial rulers, they also reflect a deeper struggle for identity, rights, and self-determination. Each nation, in its own unique way, battled internal and external challenges to shape its destiny, making September a month of profound reflection and celebration in Latin America. Viva la Independencia!

hands holding up yellow protest signs that say Hands Off Our Bodies
Photo Credit: Gayatri Malhotra via Unsplash

Originally published in Common Dreams. Reprinted with permission.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

In November, abortion rights measures will appear on ballots across ten states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and New York, where Latinos make up a significant portion of the electorate. For decades, pundits and politicians have recycled long-held misconceptions about Latino voters and abortion access, citing our conservative and religious beliefs.

Anti-abortion extremists have long fueled these misconceptions through misinformation and disinformation campaigns targeting Latino communities with egregious lies and inflammatory rhetoric about abortion. Yet, polling, focus groups, and direct interactions with Latino communities have debunked these outdated tropes.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

For Latinos, the freedom to decide, a pillar of our American democracy, is critical. Meanwhile, Latinos are being hit directly with anti-abortion efforts that take away that freedom such as the six-week abortion ban put into effect by the Florida Supreme Court and the 1864 abortion ban upheld by the Arizona Supreme Court. In the wake of the Dobbs decision, people of color and Latinas have felt the impact of a lack of abortion access, an element of basic healthcare.

A 2023 report by the National Partnership for Women and Families estimated that nearly 6.5 million Latinas, or 42% of all Latinas of reproductive age in the country, live in a state that either had or was likely to ban abortion. Ironically, it will be abortion access and anti-choice efforts to restrict freedom of choice that will mobilize Latino voters this election.

In a poll conducted by three national reproductive justice organizations, 87% of Latinas named abortion and women’s rights as one of their top priorities as they head to the polls. Another battleground poll conducted by Somos PAC and BSP Research found that 61% of Latino registered voters expressed a more positive/favorable view of Kamala Harris after hearing that she will protect abortion rights, versus only 19% of Latinos who said they had a more negative view of Harris after hearing that.

In key states to secure the White House and both chambers, Latinos make up large chunks of the electorate: Arizona (25%), Colorado (15%), Florida (20%), Nevada (20%), and New York (12%). In the face of unprecedented attacks on basic healthcare access and targeted attempts by extremists to mislead and divide our community on this issue, this November Latinos will be key deciders on abortion access across the country.

Mari Urbina, Managing Director of Indivisible, Battleground Arizona Lead and former Harry Reid advisor.

Héctor Sánchez Barba is president and CEO of Mi Familia Vota (MFV).

This Viral Video Game Is Changing the Face of Voter Outreach

In 2024, voting campaigns have evolved greatly, to say the least. Creativity is now the name of the game and tongue-in-cheek humor is expertly leveraged to drive action. One example of that is Bop the Bigot, a revival of a viral game created in 2016 by Bazta Arpaio, an Arizona activist group, as part of a campaign to unseat Maricopa County’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio lost his re-election to Paul Penzone that year.

The game has now been updated for the current election cycle and relaunched by On Point Studios, with new features added to enable players to find out what’s on their ballot, confirm voter status, and register to vote.

Much like its former 2016 version, the game allows users to take out their political frustrations by virtually “bopping” GOP candidates in the head. It’s very similar to whack-a-mole, except the mole is replaced by former President Donald Trump, Ohio’s Senator J. D. Vance, and Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, which is spearheading Project 2025.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

B. Loewe, Director of On Point Studios, came up with the concept for this game when working as the Communications Director at Bazta Arpaio in 2016, and is the executive producer of this revamped version. In the first version of the game, Bop the Bigot players used a chancla (flip flop) to “bop” the characters, tapping into Latino culture by leaning on the childhood experience of being set right by a flying chancla from a fed-up mother or grandmother.

This year, the chancla is replaced by a more current element, a green coconut, referencing Kamala Harris’ coconut tree meme. There are also side characters like “the couch,” cat ladies, and more coconuts. All references to jokes about Vice-Presidential candidate Vance, or insults Vance has made about women on the campaign trail.

Another new addition is that Harris’ laugh is immortalized as the game-over sound effect, an unexpected detail that adds even more humor and levity to the game.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump, Kevin Roberts, and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

Bop the Bigot, which is playable on desktop and mobile, is intended not just as a way to vent political frustrations, but also as a tool for activism and securing voter engagement.

For example, the game supports the work of Mexican Neidi Dominguez Zamorano, Founding Executive Director of the non-profit organization Organized Power in Numbers by using the “game over” screen to prompt players to donate to it and support their efforts.

Organized Power in Numbers is focused on empowering workers in the South and Southwest of the U.S. through collective action and comprehensive campaigns. Their mission is to create a large-scale movement that challenges the status quo and advocates for workers' rights, and racial and economic justice.

Currently, Dominguez Zamorano is leading worker outreach to 2 million working-class voters in the South and Southwest through doorknocking, texting, and calls with the help of local groups in North Carolina, Arizona, New Mexico, and more.

“We have been blown away by the enthusiastic reception for the video game. We knew we wanted to be part of its creative approach because our movement needs more fun and laughter. We need more ways to connect with nuestra gente so we can feel joy among all the absurdity we witness every day,” Dominguez Zamorano shared with Luz Media via email.

“Our people are gente trabajadora and we deserve to feel uplifted even in our toughest moments. We are deeply involved in the South and Southwest so we know what’s at stake in this election and we’re happy this can be a resource to mobilize, raise spirits, and get out the vote," she concluded.

Dominguez Zamorano is a committed activist for immigrants and workers' rights, known for her strategist skills and expertise. She played a key role in the campaign to win DACA and has also held roles in major campaigns, including as Deputy National States Director for Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. In addition to her work with Organized Power in Numbers, Dominguez Zamorano is serving as a Senior Advisor to Mijente’s Fuera Trump Initiative.

Grassroots efforts like these have taken on new life in 2024, with Bop the Bigot adding to the larger, ongoing fight against political apathy and disinformation. Just as it did during the 2016 race, the video game uses humor to soften the serious task at hand—getting people to the polls.

"We want the game to be a fun and comical outlet for anyone who’s been insulted, frustrated, or harmed by Trump in the past and everyone who is ready to move forward as a country after election day," explained Loewe in a press release. "The proposals in Project 2025 and the beliefs of Trump and Vance aren’t just weird, they’re truly harmful. We wanted to give people a humorous and peaceful way to smack down their racism and sexism. We hope it makes people laugh and also feel empowered and motivated to get to the polls on or before election day."

With a mix of satire, sharp political critique, and nostalgia, the game is a call to action. The upcoming election, which is getting closer by the minute, has sparked fierce activism and creative yet grounded initiatives like these aim to ensure voters are engaged, especially young Latinos and disenfranchised groups.