Organizers of El Grito Chicago, a two-day Mexican Independence Day festival scheduled to take place downtown Chicago next weekend, have announced that the event will be postponed as the city braces for increased immigration enforcement from the federal government.
German Gonzalez, the lead organizer of the event, told the Tribune that the choice to postpone the Sept. 13-14 festival was made following safety recommendations from the state of Illinois, city of Chicago officials and community leaders. Last year, 24,000 people attended the celebration.
“It’s a real sadness what is happening, but we strongly feel like this is the right decision (to cancel the event),” Gonzalez said. He added that the reaction has been “overwhelmingly positive and hopeful.”
Gov. JB Pritzker said he expects immigration enforcement to begin in Chicago by the end of the week and suburban officials have been told to expect about 300 immigration agents to be sent to the area as part of increased operations.
During a news conference Tuesday, Pritzker suggested that Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff, strategically planned to conduct militarized arrests in Chicago because the city is known for its Mexican Independence Day celebrations.
Pritzker added that he is “deeply concerned” ICE will target Mexican Independence Day events, set to start this weekend with the parade in Pilsen on Saturday. On Thursday, parade organizer Vicky Lugo said the upcoming celebration will go on despite deportation fears.
Lugo said she hadn’t heard that the El Grito festival was postponed before being reached by a Tribune reporter, but called it a “shame.”
“We are confident that nothing is going to escalate, nothing’s going to happen,” said Lugo, secretary of the United Merchants of Pilsen Chamber of Commerce. “We’re not changing plans anytime soon.”
The 24th annual parade, which about 3,000 spectators are expected to attend, has a few extra precautions in place, Lugo said. Volunteers placed along the parade route who will communicate if they see immigration agents and will hand out know your rights cards, she said. She previously said the Chicago Police Department will help ensure safety.
“It’s not because we’re downplaying the situation,” she said. “But it would be highly irresponsible of ICE or the National Guard or just anyone to make some kind of action specifically because there are kids, there’s families out there. And if they were to create chaos, it would put many people’s lives in danger.”
Reyna Torres Mendivil, the consul general of Mexico in Chicago, said representatives from the consulate were scheduled to attend at least 17 celebrations in Illinois and Indiana this month, including “El Grito.”
On Thursday evening, the team was reviewing how many events had been canceled or postponed, Torres Mendivil said.
“We respect the decision they make. Some events may still take place in enclosed places, but there are others that take place in public spaces,” Torres Mendivil said. “We will attend all of the events that are still set to take place.”
The consulate will focus on commemorating Mexican Independence Day with a social media campaign that showcases the contribution of the immigrant community on social media, she said.
“Nothing of what may happen negates the pride of being Mexican and of celebrating our heritage, with our family, with dignity and respect,” Torres Mendivil added.
El Grito Chicago was launched last year as a vibrant, family-friendly celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, and also as alternative to help regulate the car caravans that had taken over the streets in recent years from revelers the days leading up to Mexican Independence Day.
Gonzalez said the event combats the perception of Mexicans festivities in Chicago, “too often clouded by ignorance.” He noted that there were zero incidents last year.
“The Cry of Independence,” or “El Grito,” as it is translated, is the traditional ceremony paying homage to the traditional call to arms on the eve of Mexican Independence Day on Sept. 16, 1810, and the fight for independence from Spain.
Cultural events help anchor all communities, immigrants included, and when they’re canceled, it can create feelings of loss and grief, said Aimee Hilado, an assistant professor at the University of Chicago and an expert in immigrant mental health and immigration trauma.
Celebrating traditions brings “joy” and “connection” to many people, she said.
“Coming together is a natural way of feeling connected to others, of feeling safe,” Hilado said. “When we have to cancel cultural events .. it just creates more isolated communities.”
She said feelings of fear and uncertainty are likely heightened for many immigrants due to the possibility of a heightened immigration enforcement presence. Communities may find different ways to stay connected and hopeful amid the uncertainty, such as virtual masses or having a neighbor walk a child to school, she added.
“It is a stark reminder of the reality that they are living in at this time, that the threats to their safety and security in this country are quite real,” Hilado said. “You don’t build stronger communities when communities live in fear.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, speaking at a separate event Thursday, called for Mexican Independence Day festivities to go on as planned.
“Why would I ask you to stay home?” Johnson said. “Why would we allow someone who is auditioning to become a dictator of democracy to intimidate the soul of America, the city of Chicago? We should celebrate. I’m going to celebrate.”
On social media, El Grito organizers vowed to return stronger and more united, thanking the vendors, artists, sponsors, and community groups who have supported the festival.
“Postponing El Grito Chicago this year is not surrender,” Gonzalez told the Tribune. “It is a refusal to let our festival be used as a pawn in political games meant to divide our city and our nation.”
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