Diego Alfredo Maldonado, 5, of Sacramento, stands for the Mexican national anthem as the Mexican Consulate in Sacramento celebrates the 216th anniversary of Mexican independence at the state Capitol on Tuesday.
HECTOR AMEZCUA
hamezcua@sacbee.com
The traditional Capitol celebration of Mexican Independence Day returned to the state Capitol on Tuesday as hundreds of people turned out to mark the event. The celebration was a contrast to last year, when turnout was depressed because of concerns about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and inconsistent statements about whether the event would take place.
Diego Maldonado of Sacramento knelt with his sons, 5-year-old Diego Alfredo, dressed in a charro outfit, and 2-year-old José, while holding a Mexican flag during the celebration.
“We’re here to remember independence and to remember that Mexico is a free and sovereign government. It’s more than food and mariachis — it has a large diversity of cultures that needs our support,” he said.
Participants waved flags and joined chants led by Sacramento Mexican Consul General Christian Tonatiuh González Jiménez, including “Long live our migrant bothers and sisters” in Spanish.
Allison Anaya performs Tuesday with Instituto Mazatlán de Bellas Artes of Sacramento during a celebration of the 216th anniversary of Mexican independence at the state Capitol. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com 
Mexican flags are flown near the state Capitol during the 216th anniversary of Mexican independence on Tuesday. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com 
A participant waves the Mexican flag during a celebration of the 216th anniversary of Mexican independence at the state Capitol on Tuesday. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com
The Sacramento Bee
Hector Amezcua is an award-winning visual journalist for The Sacramento Bee. Fluent in Spanish, he is a Fresno State graduate in journalism and Chicano studies. He has worked for McClatchy since 1992, taking pictures at all three Bee newsrooms in California.