Chicago (AP) – President Donald Trump’s National Guard dispatch plan Military and immigration agents Latinx residents to the Inn to Chicago put many people in the air, and some pause about publicly celebrating Mexico’s Independence Day to others, urging them to carry US passports.
The holidays will be reduced to September 16th, but the celebrations in Chicago have been taking over a week and attracting hundreds of thousands of participants. The festival begins with a Saturday parade passing through Mexico’s severe Pilsen area, continuing with caravans and lively street parties.
But this year, a typically joyous era coincides with Trump’s threat of adding Chicago to the list of other Democratic-led cities targeting federal enforcement. His administration said it would strengthen immigration enforcement in Chicago. Los Angelesand will Deploying National Guard Forces To help fight crime. In addition to sending troops to Los Angeles In June, Trump rolled out in Washington, DC last month. Law enforcement acquisition of the country’s capital.
Details of the promised Chicago operation are sparse, Local opposition It’s already widespread and includes suburban communities with bases for immigrant communities. State and city leaders say they intend to sues the Trump administration.
Complex feelings about postponement celebrations
The extended Mexican Independence Day celebration reflects the size and vitality of Chicago’s Mexican-American community. According to 2022 US Census estimates, Mexicans account for more than a fifth of the city’s total population and roughly 74% of Latinos.
Ordinary community parades and festival organizers are split over whether to proceed or postpone precautions in the hopes that many attendees will feel safer to give a genuine celebration in the months. At Pilsen, organizers said this week that community safety should be prioritized. However, the Downtown Festival on Mexico’s Independence Day, set next weekend, was postponed by organizers this week.
“But we refuse to pawn our festival in this political game,” said German Gonzalez, organizer of El Grito Chicago.
In Pilsen and Little Village, two of the city’s most famous neighborhoods with restaurants, businesses and cultural connections to Mexican culture, residents expressed disappointment at the fear and anxiety that federal intervention is permeating within their communities at a time when it is usually characterized by the joys, unity and celebrations of Mexican-American culture and heritage.
Some residents plan to celebrate with precautions
For Galliera Mendes, the decision to postpone El Grito Chicago was heartbreaking and easy to understand.
And while the country’s third largest city has issues, including persistent gun violence in several regions, Mendes said Trump and his supporters are misusing Chicago for political gain, disrupting the festival for a massive cross-section.
“It feels like a slap in the face,” said the 25-year-old. “Because we are all the same people who describe our homes this way.
Vianney Alarcon, 42, said he expects people to be targeted by immigration officers, regardless of their legal status.
“They’ll ask questions later and ask questions,” she said.
However, in an act of rebellion, she takes part in the festival, bringing her passport.
“I’m still going to celebrate my legacy,” she said. “And I know the fact that a lot of people I know and people commenting on Facebook also come in. What are they going to do? We’re not destructive if we’re properly celebrating.”
An air of uncertainty
Fabio Fernandez, 39, owner of 3W and residency in a streetwear shop in Pilsen, Will With With With With With With With With With With With With With With With With With Possible With With With With With With Possible With With With With With Possible, Fabio Fernandez, owner of 3W, he is “troubled” and “disappointed” that potential federal intervention is affecting Mexico’s Independence Day celebrations.
“We shouldn’t be afraid or feel that we can’t walk the same streets we normally walk around,” he said, adding that Pilsen had a feeling of anxiety and uncertainty.
This uncertainty has led to cut sales of local businesses like him and pedestrians in local businesses, Fernandez said.
“Small businesses here can feel that and other business owners will say the same,” he said.
Fernandez said supporting local Latino companies is one of the best ways to show support during this period.
“Back back to 18th Avenue, support small businesses here. They’re still working hard like hell to keep their businesses alive,” he said.
Alejandro Vences, 30, has become a US citizen this year. “It gives me some comfort during this time,” he said as he ate Pozole Verde at his local Mexican restaurant, 5 Rabanitos, on Friday afternoon.
Still, he said the anxiety was obvious.
“For us, our Independence Day has always been a celebration of our culture,” he said. “It’s always been a celebration of who we are. It feels like we can’t celebrate our culture the same way.”
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Finley reported from Norfolk, Virginia. Associated Press authors Melina Warling of Chicago and Morgan Lee of Santa Fe contributed.
