SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Hundreds gathered in San Francisco’s Mission District on Sunday night for the 44th annual Día de los Muertos ritual procession, a cultural event that persisted despite recent uncertainties.
The procession, organized by El Colectivo del Rescate Cultural, celebrated the theme ‘Our Dead Are Not For Sale.’ This year’s event was notably larger than the previous year, showcasing the community’s resilience and dedication to preserving their cultural traditions.
“Whoever it is that thinks that they can push us around, they can. We’re here. We’re going to stay here,” said organizer Luis Gutierrez, emphasizing the community’s determination to continue the tradition.
The event took place at 22nd and Bryant, where hundreds lined the streets to witness the rich cultural history the procession brings. Despite concerns over potential ICE raids, which led to the cancellation of some events, the Mission District’s celebration went ahead as planned.
Participants emphasized that the procession is not just a parade but a ceremony to honor the dead and reclaim space in a neighborhood where Latinx history is increasingly marginalized. Many attendees used the event as a platform to protest against ICE and the Trump administration, underscoring the importance of standing up against fear.
Organizers are already planning next year’s Día de los Muertos procession, hoping for an even larger turnout to continue celebrating and preserving their cultural heritage in San Francisco’s Mission District.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KRON4. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KRON4 staff before being published.
