The annual Cinco de Mayo Parade in Chicago, a cherished cultural event, will not take place this year.
Organizers announced the cancellation on Thursday, citing concerns over immigration policies under President Donald Trump's administration as the primary reason for the decision. The parade, traditionally held on the city's Southwest Side, has been called off to prioritize safety over financial gain, as reported by ABC 7.
According to The Post Millennial, Hector Escobar, President of the Casa Puebla & Cermak Road Chamber of Commerce, expressed the community's apprehension, stating, "Our people are scared. See, some of them, they don't even want to go to work and some of them, they've taken a high risk. And, definitely, it's not much to celebrate."
The fear stems from increased deportation activities by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Chicago, a sanctuary city, and its surrounding suburbs since President Trump assumed office. This heightened enforcement has left local businesses in the Little Village neighborhood, where the parade typically commences, on edge.
Escobar further elaborated on the community's distress, saying, "Our community is very frightened because of the raids and the threat that ICE has imposed on the families that work tirelessly to provide a better future for their kids. Our community has faced bullying and prosecution and are not indulging in community activities, therefore we feel that there is nothing to celebrate." He emphasized the desire to avoid any confrontations or the risk of attendees being taken into custody during the festivities.
The pervasive fear has also led to a significant withdrawal of support from sponsors, with nearly half opting out of the event. Escobar remarked, We could have done it with the 50% of the sponsorship, which is great, but it's not, again, about money. It's just more about the safety.
The Cinco de Mayo Parade has faced challenges in recent years. It was not held from 2018 to 2022, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and disagreements between organizers and city officials. Last year, the parade route was altered following an incident of gang-related violence, resulting in multiple arrests.
Looking ahead, the future of the parade remains uncertain. Escobar conveyed this uncertainty, stating, At this point, we don't know what is going to happen next year. The community's focus remains on ensuring safety and addressing the concerns that have overshadowed this cultural celebration.
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