While other community college students created and shared “I am UCC” videos with Umpqua Community College, Pima Community College students displayed an altar dedicated to the victims of the shooting in Roseburg, Oregon, as part of its Dias de los Muertos commemorations. The altar was set up October 29 and is expected to be taken down today.
The altar had little other than pictures of all of the UCC victims and included information on the history of Dia de los Muertos.
Dias de los Muertos, which is November 1 and 2, originated in Mexico and combines Aztec rituals and Catholicism to honor those who have died. The holiday also is celebrated throughout Central and South America.
The residents of Roseburg objected to President Barack Obama’s use of the dead students as a reason to push gun control. According to the DailyMail.com, the president’s trip “angered locals in Roseburg” who said the president was not welcome because the visit was merely a ‘grandstand for political purposes.’ While the Day of the Dead is considered a spiritual celebration, some have chosen to politicize it.
The PCC Government and Community Relations Department published a press release announcing the altar with no clear indication of the purpose of the move.
The PCC students the ADI contacted on Monday reported that they hadn’t even seen it. Few even saw it, according to students.