The Richmond Progressive Alliance salutes Cinco de Mayo and participates in the popular celebrations of this momentous commemoration.

Benito Juarez, the first constitutional president of Mexico, was restored to the presidency of Mexico after his loyal constitutional troops defeated the more numerous and better-armed French invaders in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. On that date, 5,000 poorly equipped Mestizo and Zapotec Indians defeated the French army, which had invaded Mexico in the aftermath of the Mexican-American War. This victory of the constitution, of sovereignty, and of the people's rights, is now celebrated every fifth of May, which in Spanish is Cinco de Mayo .

Benito Juarez said: "Peace is the respect of the rights of others."