El Colectivo del Rescate Cultural (Culture Rescue Collective) is busy planning for the 44th annual Day of the Dead Ritual Procession in the Mission, and we need your support! We survive by community power through small-dollar donors and organizing, and have never accepted city, state, or corporate grants and sponsorships. In this manner we stay true to the vision and motto which co-founder Juan Pablo Gutiérrez (1953 - 2021) initiated -- Nuestros Muertos No Se Venden (Our Dead Are Not for Sale). Please read more about Juan Pablo’s life and legacy here: https://missionlocal.org/2023/11/we-the-living-and-the-day-of-the-dead/

Funds raised will be used for creating papel picado, purchase the cempasúchil (marigold) flowers used in the blessing, hire a neighborhood artist to design and paint a signature banner, creating a Dia de los Muertos mural, purchase advertising, obtain a sound system, provide food for the dancers and organizers on the night of the procession, and for other event expenses.

Any amount you can contribute is most deeply appreciated.

The procession is a non-lucrative community-based grassroots collaboration striving to keep a 500+ year-old Aztec-Mexican ritual alive en La Misión. It is led spiritually by the Coyolxauqui Aztec Dancers under the leadership of maestro Luis “Louie” Gutiérrez. Held annually since 1981, the ritual procession is organic in nature comprised by a multiplicity of cultural workers, activists, neighborhood family business owners, performing artists, and city-wide visual artists.

Please share widely!

This is an alcohol and drug free event.

***Note from Kashika - I am a neighbor, dear friend, and chosen family of Luis de la Garza, Juan Pablo’s brother in friendship and struggle for 41 years. Since last year I've supported El Colectivo with the logistics of online fundraising via GoFundMe. Check and cash donations are still welcome - if you would like to donate that way, please contact Luis!