Colorful candies, eye-catching piñatas, and festive Mexican music gave the Quad a festive air in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. A line of dozens of Laney students and staff snaked up to a white-clothed table as people waited for a plate of free traditional Mexican food.
A collaborative effort, the ASLC funded the meal while the Brown Alliance of Students Taking Action (B.A.S.T.A.) coordinated the event. 
As crowds gathered for lunch, Crystal Perez, B.A.S.T.A. member, took hold of the microphone and informed those listening in the Quad about the true meaning of Cinco de Mayo. 
Clarifying that Cinco de Mayo is more than just a celebration of Mexican Independence, Perez emphasized that the date commemorates the Battle of the Puebla, when the Mexican Army defeated French forces on May 5, 1862. Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on September 15.
Perez, a member of B.A.S.T.A., feels strongly about people connecting with their roots and has used the celebration to inform others of this. 
“It’s interesting how quick we are to judge people,” she said. “For example, without knowing a classmate, I labeled him based on his looks, as African American. Once I talked to him he told me that he is actually Mexican. This is another reason I want to connect more with my roots, to better understand my history.”
Towards the end of the celebration, a large green piñata was broken open and students rushed to salvage the contents, giving a celebrative end to the event.