100 signatures reached
To: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Rep. Jamaal Bowman, Rep. Cori Bush,
Make Dia de los Muertos a National Holiday
To: The President of the United States,
Members of Congress,
and Relevant Federal Authorities
Subject: Petition to Officially Recognize Día de los Muertos as a National Holiday in the United States
To Whom It May Concern,
We, the undersigned, respectfully petition the United States government to officially recognize Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) as a national holiday.
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a festive holiday where family and friends come together in fellowship to remember and celebrate the lives of their passed loved ones, by building altars, holding candlelight vigils, and partaking in the favorite foods, drinks, and items of the deceased.
Traditionally, this holiday celebrates the memory of children on November 1st and adults on November 2nd. Living relatives and friends gather in the streets of the communities, the homes of loved ones, and the cemeteries where loved ones have been laid to rest.
Stemming from Mesoamerican traditions, Día de los Muertos has grown significantly in cultural influence across the United States, largely due to the increasing presence and contributions of the Latino community. With Latinos now comprising nearly 20% of the U.S. population, their traditions and celebrations have become an integral part of the American cultural landscape.
In cities like Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, and Washington DC, large-scale Día de los Muertos festivals attract diverse crowds, fostering a sense of unity and cultural exchange. The holiday’s vibrant celebrations, which honor the lives of those who have passed, resonate with many non-Latino Americans as well, bridging cultural divides. As the Latino population continues to expand, so too does the reach of Día de los Muertos, serving as a powerful symbol of heritage, family, and shared human experience across the country.
Día de los Muertos is not merely a cultural observance but a human observance, a day that acknowledges the common fate we all share. Every person has ancestors, and every person will one day become an ancestor. This profound reality underscores the fundamental equality of all human beings. If we are the same in death, we must strive for equality and respect for all in life.
This celebration, while deeply rooted in Latin American traditions, reflects a universal truth: our shared mortality, and the recognition that all humans, regardless of culture, race, or background are part of the same journey from life to death. By honoring our ancestors, we reaffirm the essential equality and dignity of all people, both in life and death.
Purpose of the Petition
Recognizing Día de los Muertos as a national holiday would:
- Affirm the inherent dignity of every human being, regardless of background, by honoring the universal human experience of life and death.
- Serve as a reminder that death unites us, and that this unity should guide us in fostering greater understanding, compassion, and equality during our lifetimes.
- Encourage all Americans to reflect on the importance of family, community, and shared humanity, strengthening the bonds that unite us across cultures.
Our Shared Mortality and Humanity
At its core, Día de los Muertos is a day that transcends cultural boundaries by emphasizing our shared mortality, a truth that touches all human lives. By setting aside this day to honor those who came before us, we recognize that we are all connected in the cycle of life and death. It is a day to reflect on our universal destiny, bringing us together as a human family.
Death does not discriminate, and in that recognition, we find the clearest expression of our common humanity. This simple but profound truth should remind us that if we are the same in death, we ought to treat one another with the same respect and equality in life. Recognizing this holiday is a step toward acknowledging that every human being regardless of their origins, identity, or beliefs, deserves the same dignity and respect.
Why is this important?
Why This Matters
In a nation built on the ideals of equality and shared freedom, Día de los Muertos offers an opportunity to emphasize unity in our shared fate. It serves as a reminder that no matter who we are, where we come from, or how we live, we all face the same human experience.
By officially recognizing this holiday, the U.S. would:
- Honor the legacy of diverse communities, especially those of Hispanic and Latin American descent, whose traditions enrich our nation.
- Create a space for all Americans to reflect on the fragility of life, the importance of remembrance, and the need for compassion and equality.
- Promote healing and unity, helping us look beyond our differences and focus on our shared existence.
The message of Día de los Muertos is particularly poignant in these times of division. It reminds us that, in the end, we are all bound by the same human experience, an experience that calls for unity, understanding, and mutual respect.
Call to Action
We, the undersigned, urge Congress and the President to formally recognize Día de los Muertos as a national holiday to be observed annually on November 2nd. By doing so, we will create a day for all Americans to honor their ancestors and reflect on the values of equality, family, and our shared humanity.
On November 2nd, 2024, we will gather at the National Mall to celebrate Día de los Muertos with cultural performances, live music, art, activities, speeches, and more, all emphasizing the importance of unity in life and death. Joined by advocates, community leaders, and citizens from across the nation, this event will serve as a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and the values of remembrance and togetherness.
This petition serves as a call for all Americans to embrace the values of Día de los Muertos, recognizing that in death we are all the same, and that in life, we must strive for the same equality, respect, and compassion for all.
By establishing Día de los Muertos as a national holiday, we honor not just a tradition, but the universal human experience. We affirm that our shared mortality should lead to shared humanity in life, an understanding that transcends divisions and brings us closer together.
Last year, we were proud to receive the official "Celebration of the Day" from the Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs in Washington, D.C. This year, we have made history by receiving the "Proclamation of the Day" from DC's Mayor Muriel Bowser, herself. These acknowledgments mark significant milestones in celebrating the cultural and spiritual importance of the holiday within the nation's capital.
The support from local government not only highlights the growing influence of the Latino community but also demonstrates a collective commitment to honoring traditions that bring people together in unity and remembrance. This recognition has further inspired us to advocate for making Día de los Muertos a national holiday, so its message of shared humanity can resonate across the country.
The time has come for us to recognize this day, not only as a cultural celebration but as a reminder of our common destiny and the dignity we all share. Let us take this opportunity to embrace our shared past, present, and future.
Sincerely,
La Familia DDLMDC
Please sign this petition to support the recognition of Día de los Muertos as a national holiday and to honor our shared mortality, humanity, and community.
#DDLM4ALL
How it will be delivered
We plan to deliver this petition via press conference and deliver it in person.