If you think mariachi bands are only good for playing at quinceañeras, you have not been paying attention. Mariachi’s are actually the secret voice of the people. Several instances of protest have been performed by mariachi’s recently and they’ve been amazing. Not just because they’re taking a stand, but because they’re dressed all the way up and playing music as a form of protest. It’s a beautiful sight. They’re basically superheroes without capes.

1. This group of mariachi performed their protest at Republican Senator Cory Gardner’s talk at a Chamber of Commerce event in Colorado Springs.

A mariachi band interrupted @SenCoryGardner during his remarks at a chamber of commerce event in Colorado Springs pic.twitter.com/tRAohtePQQ

— POLITICO (@politico) April 20, 2017

The mariachis played “¿Dónde Estás Corazón?” just as Gardner was beginning to speak and answer questions. The band was there representing the group “Americans for Conservation of the Arts” as well as the Latino community at large. A representative of that group had been trying to get a hold of the Senator who has refused to meet with constituents in a public forum according to CNN. They paid the $250 joining fee for the Chamber of Commerce just to interrupt it.

2. This mariachi band performed a remixed rendition of The Star Spangled Banner, outside the US embassy in Mexico City.

Mariachi performs national anthem outside of US embassy in Mexico City. Organizer told me it’s their “peaceful protest against the wall.” pic.twitter.com/aSGftoijGG

— Polo Sandoval (@PoloSandovalCNN) March 14, 2017

A representative of the band told reporters that they performed the song as “a gesture for building bridges” instead of building a wall.

3. There were also protests this week in Los Angeles in Mariachi Plaza against the displacement of the mariachi who live in the area.

rent hikes in Boyle Heights are forcing the Mariachis of Mariachi Plaza out of their homes, come to the rally at 6! https://t.co/irVlpWjzVV

— Molly Lambert (@mollylambert) April 25, 2017

The protests were held in Boyle Heights’ Mariachi Plaza, which is 1) not a joke, they actually live nearby and 2) that’s probably the best place in the world for mariachi to protest (okay, maybe that last part was a joke). All jokes aside, though, many people came out recently to protest massive rent hikes. Rent has gone up for some residents of the area by 80%, which is an astronomical amount for the mariachi living in the area with families and lives to sustain from their art.

4. Mariachi music is all about love, but when they need to, they can use that love to fight injustices. Like when they protested at Trump Tower.

Although they were escorted away by police, these mariachi made a stand and played beautifully all while being pushed out.

5. They’re even protesting internationally, like when these mariachi trolled Trump on a visit to Scotland.

They’re doing the work of the people!

So next time you hear mariachi, listen up and show some respect.

Or else.

READ: Valentina Took To The RuPaul Stage Dressed As A Mariachi And It Slayed

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