Pilsen’s Mexican Independence Day parade will be held with additional precautions this weekend amid the threat of immigration raids and the arrival of National Guard troops looming over the city, its organizer said.
Volunteers stationed along the route will carry radios, cellphones and whistles to quickly report any issues, said Rigoberto Gonzalez Jr., executive director of the Pilsen Chamber of Commerce.
“We want people to feel safe,” he said.
Gonzalez said he never doubted the parade, scheduled to step of in Pilsen noon Saturday, would be canceled in light of the new threats of immigration raids and President Donald Trump’s potential deployment of National Guard.
Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday he believes immigration raids are being timed to coincide to Mexican Independence Day celebrations.
Gonzalez said he hopes the parade is not targeted by immigration authorities.
“I can’t imagine that it would be, given that it’s the 24th annual of our event. It’s probably one of the most peaceful parades around. We’ve never had any real incidents where law enforcement had to get involved in any way, shape or form,” he said.
The parade in Pilsen is just one of several planned events throughout the city. El Grito Chicago in Grant Park is scheduled for Sept. 13. The 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade in Little Village is scheduled for Sunday.
Organizers for those events did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Mexican Independence Day takes place Sept. 16 to commemorate the start of Mexico’s struggle for independence from Spain in 1810.
Gonzalez said the parade is both a celebration of Mexican culture and a demonstration of resilience.
“We won’t be deterred,” he said. “We’re not going to allow threats to stop up because there is no ill intent behind this event. We are a nation of immigrants, and it’s a wonderful celebration of who we are.”
In Little Village, residents hoped to move forward with their own Mexican Independence Day celebrations.
Heidi Torres called Trump’s threats “unfair,” adding that his actions would only spread fear throughout the community.
“There’s a lot of families who love to see the parade. It’s just peaceful and a good time to celebrate,” said Torres, 27. “We’re a hardworking community, and we deserve to have opportunities to celebrate. I think it’s very unfortunate that they try to intimidate us.”
Torres said she hopes the parade will still happen but said it is a good idea to have people watching out for any potential threats.
“As a community we have to watch out and protect each other,” she said.
Margarita Salgado sees the celebrations as a form of resistance against the threats to their community.
“Yes, people are scared. And those who are scared for their safety should maybe avoid it. But those who can go out and celebrate should,” said Salgado, 42. “We need to go out and show that we are a strong community.”
Mexican Independence Day celebrations have long taken place in Latino neighborhoods, but in recent years car caravans have flooded Downtown streets, creating traffic and safety concerns that have resulted in dozens of arrests. To manage the growing number of car caravans, the city closed streets, and for the first time last year, hosted an official Mexican Independence Day festival Downtown at Grant Park’s Butler Field.