Mexican Independence Day events canceled across the United States

Fear of arrests and deportations driven by the Trump administration’s immigration policy has caused Latino communities in some states to cancel celebrations for the upcoming Mexican Independence Day. A few months ago, around Cinco de Mayo (another popular Mexican holiday celebrated across the United States), organizers also canceled parades, parties, and events due to fears that Latinos, especially undocumented immigrants, could be detained and arrested by immigration authorities.

In Chicago, where the immigration crackdown announced a few weeks ago by President Trump has begun, a series of events linked to Mexican Independence Day have been canceled. Although one event did take place last weekend, the rest will be postponed or will no longer be held.

Below is a list of events that have been canceled due to fears of the presence of ICE, the National Guard, and other federal authorities, as well as others that will take place despite the current political climate.

California

The El Grito Festival at the State Capitol in Sacramento, organized by the Mexican Cultural Center of Northern California, has been canceled due to concerns for community safety amid the current political climate. The organization’s president said that a gathering of Latinos could attract the attention of federal immigration agencies. However, the traditional ceremony on September 15 will still take place.

The 79th annual Mexican Independence Day parade and festival in East Los Angeles will be held on Sunday, September 14, under the theme “Tradition, Education, and Achievement.” The event—the largest and longest of its kind in the United States—will feature live music, entertainment, attractions, and food vendors.

Chicago

Due to the immigration control campaign and the deployment of the National Guard in Chicago, several Mexican Independence Day events have been canceled or postponed. Below is a list.

• El Grito Fest, led by the Mexican Consul General in Chicago, which was to take place on September 13 and 14, has been canceled.
• The Independence Day party and parade, organized by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), has been canceled. Organizers cited difficulties in holding the event in a “safe and welcoming” space.
• The Independence Day festival in Waukegan, which was to take place on September 14, has been postponed until November. However, organizers said they still plan to hold the parade, while monitoring ICE activity.
• The Latin Heritage Festival in Wauconda has been canceled.

Despite these cancellations, the 54th Annual Mexican Independence Day Parade on 26th Street will take place on September 14. This year’s theme is “Pride and Power: Our Strength, Our Legacy” and will begin at the iconic Little Village Arch on 26th Street and Albany Ave, before continuing down 26th Street to Kostner Avenue.

Indiana

A Mexican Independence Day celebration to be held in South Bend, Indiana, organized by radio station Sabor Latino, has been canceled for the general public and will now be invitation-only. The event typically attracts hundreds of people each year, and proceeds are used to invest in scholarships for local students.

This change has been made despite no confirmed reports of immigration officials in South Bend.

Milwaukee

The annual parade and festival organized by United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS), held south of Milwaukee near Oklahoma Avenue, has been canceled. Organizers said they would halt the celebration to prioritize direct services to the community.

UMOS is a multi-state nonprofit organization that helps migrant communities of all cultures through social services, education, and partnerships. In a statement, they cited the current “challenging landscape for nonprofits, especially given the current and anticipated restrictions on federal funding related to the overall political climate” as the reason for the cancellation.

New York

In New York, a state that has been threatened by Donald Trump with the deployment of the National Guard, the street party “Sabor on the Street!” will still take place on Sunday, September 14. The event is organized by Ballet Hispanico—the leading Latin dance organization in the United States and a cornerstone of the Upper West Side—and will include live performances, food trucks, and activities for the whole family.