To celebrate Colombian Independence Day (July 20), hundreds of members of MIRA USA in North Carolina, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania led a variety of events such as festivals, civil acts, and recognitions that counted with the participation of Miraist leader Jorge Muñoz, US Representative Robert Menendez, US Representative Bill Pascrell, Colombian consul generals throughout diverse US cities, and local authorities such as mayors and city councilmen.

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Charlotte, NC
Clifton, NJ
Dover, NJ
Elizabeth, NJ
Jackson Heights, NY
Massachusetts and Rhode Island
Orlando, FL
Passaic, NJ
Philadelphia, PA

One of the most covered activities was held in Philadelphia, PA where MIRA USA raised the Colombian flag for the first time in city hall; authorities allowed the Colombian flag to fly aside the US flag throughout the week. Because of MIRA USA’s initiative, for the first time, the PECO Crown of Lights in Philadelphia, PA displayed a salutation congratulating Colombians on the day of their independence.

In Jackson Heights, NY, Miraists led by Jorge Muñoz participated in the annual Colombian Day Parade. ”This parade is a beautiful opportunity to celebrate our independence being so far from our country, and it’s also the best way to show that this country has opened its doors to immigrants,” said Muñoz.

In Charlotte, NC, Dover, NJ, Elizabeth, NJ, Orlando, FL, and Worcester, MA, hundreds of Colombian compatriots dressed in yellow, red, and blue, the colors of the Colombian flag, and donned typical Colombian attire such as ponchos, mochillas or bags, and Colombian cowboy hats called “voltaios”. MIRA USA organized and supported many of these festive events that entertained not only natives from the coffee-producing country but also people of diverse nationalities with cumbia, salsa, and vallenato interpreted by musical groups and local artists.

As a result of MIRA USA’s ingenuity to organize and partake in some of the celebratory events for Colombian Independence Day, various representatives throughout the nation expressed admiration for the organization. For example, organizer of the celebration in Charlotte, NC, Ligia Cadena, acknowledged Miraists for their participation as the “only social organization with Colombian origins” that operates in the Carolinas. Commissioner of Human Relations in Philadelphia, PA, Marshall E. Freeman, congratulated MIRA USA for its initiative and entrepreneurship