Our Lady of Guadalupe pilgrimage organizers talk about protecting walkers on the streets

Thousands walked across the Coachella Valley today in honor of the Lady of Guadalupe.

“We all walk by faith and because we love her so much. We love so much our mother or lady of guadalupe. That’s why we walk so long,” said Sonia Gonzalez, an organizer of the pilgrimage.

The local pilgrimage has gone on for 18 years with organizers working with multiple cities across the valley.

“We walk the same road every year so the people around the valley they know that on December 12 this road is gonna be busy so they avoid the traffic,” Gonzalez said.

Organizers like Gonzalez hold ropes during the 32-mile trek to keep crowds away from traffic. They also work with police from each city to escort the procession, blocking just one lane of traffic and only temporarily as the crowd passes through.

“The police are escorting us and they take over this and we obey them and as you see people with the security vests – they ask people to keep going,” Gonzalez said.

Ambulances also drive ahead of and behind the group in case of an emergency. The walk raises more than $40,000 through church food sales to cover the expenses. The police department, sheriff’s, paramedics, the cities, the insurance — $2 million dollars insurance.

The walk began at 7:30 a.m. in Palm Springs, the procession is expected to arrive at its destination, Our Lady of Soledad Church in Coachella, at 7:00 p.m.

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