Every September 16, car clubs from around the city gather to celebrate Mexican Independence Day by cruising the streets.
The meet-ups have been mistaken for takeovers, that’s when people decide to race in the streets, leading to deadly consequences.
There are high school football scores and highlights.
It’s called WOai.
One of Bobby Perez’s cars has a Mexican flag on it, but it’s the feature that he’s proudest of.
He tells us why a ride down Southwest Military in their souped up cars is their Independence Day celebration as he prepares to go on a silent cruise with the San Antonio Lowrider Council Friday.
Perez says the cars represent the families and culture. Everything from painting to murals.
Street racing has ruined the art and tradition.
Street racers have been blamed for some of the deaths in San Antonio.
The areas named as street racing hot spots are 281 from 1604 to Nakoma, 35 North from City Limits, and 35 South from Highway 90 to Zarzamora.
The Sueos Car Club’s Joe De LaRosa says he worked with the city council and a city councilwoman to change the language of the street racing law.
The clubs that aren’t the bad actors would be disproportionately affected by the new law.
“It’s not good for the community because they don’t want to call the police, and then they’re the ones that are going to be impacted by it as well.”
He wants to work with the city to make sure everyone is safe and not stigmatized.
“I think it’s our responsibility to work with the city and help them understand what those nuances are, because I think that there’s a lot of lost opportunities in just how that relationship could work,” said De LaRosa.
For the culture and for many more Independence days that end with a cruise down military
Perez says that it’s all about passing on the tradition.