Josie Dominguez-Chand, 40, a school engagement coordinator with Walk San Francisco, has her hair decorated for Día de los Muertos at Potrero del Sol park on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. “Día de los Muertos means community, pride, and resilience,” Dominguez-Chand said. “Community because we come together, pride because our culture is strong—we’re still here, and resilience because we will always be here and we can honor our elders and protect this plant for our future.” Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
Pairs of shoes are decorated with marigolds as part of an altar created by Walk San Francisco, a nonprofit organization that advocates to end traffic violence for pedestrians, during Día de los Muertos at Potrero del Sol park on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. According to Josie Dominguez-Chand, 40, a school engagement coordinator with Walk San Francisco, 16 pedestrians have died walking in the city so far. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
Marcia Calderon sits for a portrait behind an altar she created for her partner, Marcia, who died from an unexpected heart attack in September, at Día de los Muertos at Potrero del Sol park on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. “This is something I had to do because I am still grieving and it makes me feel good that I am out here,” Calderon said. “She loved red roses.” Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
Merch representing the Mission District was sold during Día de los Muertos on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. The Mission District is one of the oldest neighborhoods in San Francisco, and historically notable to a vibrant Chicano and Latino community. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
Merch representing the Mission District was sold during Día de los Muertos on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. The Mission District is one of the oldest neighborhoods in San Francisco, and historically notable to a vibrant Chicano and Latino community. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
Carlos Montenegro sets up his own altar and memorial for Día de los Muertos in the Mission District on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. Montenegro, a Mission District native, commemorates the families from the Mission District who have passed away. “You give honor to them—the ancestors, they’re not gone, they’re still with you,” Montenegro said. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
Carlos Montenegro stands for a portrait next to his altar and memorial for Día de los Muertos in the Mission District on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. Montenegro, a Mission District native, commemorates the families from the Mission District who have passed away. “You give honor to them—the ancestors, they’re not gone, they’re still with you,” Montenegro said. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
Merch representing the Mission District was sold during Día de los Muertos on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. The Mission District is one of the oldest neighborhoods in San Francisco, and historically notable to a vibrant Chicano and Latino community. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
An altar commemorating Gaza was installed for Día de los Muertos in the Mission District on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. This altar was the center piece for a vigil that was led by local artist and muralist, Lucía González Ippolito. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
Local artist and muralist, Lucía González Ippolito, led an altar installation and procession for Gaza during Día de los Muertos in the Mission District on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. This altar was the center piece for a vigil, too. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
Installations for Gaza during Día de los Muertos in the Mission District on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
Nicole Jajeh-Garcia, a first generation Palestinian-American, shows off her Palestinian earrings next to her altar commemorating Gaza during Día de los Muertos in the Mission District on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. “I’m actually feeling grateful for today and making my altar is a bit of healing from these past weeks—and feelings building up,” Jajeh-Garcia said. “This [making an altar] is my artistic way to let it be known and to share the beauty of my culture.” Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
A detail of Palestinian-American, Nicole Jajeh-Garcia’s altar commemorating Gaza during Día de los Muertos in the Mission District on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
Denhi Donis decorates an altar with flowers in the Mission District honoring the lives lost in Gaza during Israel’s latest war on Palestine for Día de los Muertos on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. Donis, who is also known in the community as ‘The Flower Lady,’ has been doing flower offerings for more than 25 years. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
Hussam Awadalla, a Palestinian-American, lights the candles for an altar commemorating Gaza during Día de los Muertos in the Mission District on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. This altar was the center piece for a vigil that was led by local artist and muralist, Lucía González Ippolito. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
San Franciscans flooded the streets for Día de los Muertos in the Mission District while altars and flags for Palestine were found throughout the event on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
People paid their respects in front of an altar commemorating Gaza that was installed for Día de los Muertos in the Mission District on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. This altar was the center piece for a vigil that was led by local artist and muralist, Lucía González Ippolito. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
San Franciscans flooded the streets for Día de los Muertos in the Mission District on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
Grupo Coyolxauhqui perform during the 42nd Annual Day of the Dead Ritual Procession in the Mission District on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
A large crowd of people watch Grupo Coyolxauhqui perform during the 42nd Annual Day of the Dead Ritual Procession in the Mission District on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
People take cellphone videos of members from Grupo Coyolxauhqui during the 42nd Annual Day of the Dead Ritual Procession in the Mission District on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
A large turnout of people marched on 24th Street in the Mission District during the 42nd Annual Day of the Dead Ritual Procession on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
A large crowd of people watch Grupo Coyolxauhqui perform during the 42nd Annual Day of the Dead Ritual Procession in the Mission District on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
People paid their respects in front of an altar commemorating Gaza that was installed for Día de los Muertos in the Mission District on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. This altar was the center piece for a vigil that was led by local artist and muralist, Lucía González Ippolito. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
San Franciscans flooded the streets for Día de los Muertos in the Mission District on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
People paid their respects in front of an altar commemorating Gaza that was installed for Día de los Muertos in the Mission District on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. This altar was the center piece for a vigil that was led by local artist and muralist, Lucía González Ippolito. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
A tearful young person cries during a vigil for Gaza that was held during Día de los Muertos in the Mission District on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. People gathered in somber around an altar for Gaza, as a Palestinian speaker, Sam Abdallah gave a speech. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
Zeiad Abbas Shamrouch, executive director of Middle Eastern Children’s Alliance in Berkley, delivers a speech during a vigil for Gaza that was held during Día de los Muertos in the Mission District on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local
Candles and marigolds where placed along the walls of Casa De La Mision in the Mission District, in support for Gaza during Día de los Muertos on Nov. 2, 2023 in San Francisco, Calif. Every year for the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, the Mission District comes to life with altars, scattered marigolds, pan dulce, artful decorations, face paint and candles. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote/CatchLight Local

Pablo Unzueta

Pablo Unzueta is a first generation Chilean-American photojournalist documenting health equity, the environment, culture and displacement amongst the Latino population in the Bay Area for El Tecolote....