El Grito Chicago postponed over fears of ICE activity during Mexican Independence Day celebrations
El Grito Chicago, the city's official festival for Mexican Independence Day, has been postponed due to fears about immigration enforcement activity, officials announced Thursday.
The festival was planned for Grant Park on Saturday, Sept. 13 and Sunday, Sept. 14.
In a message posted to their social media, El Grito organizers wrote, "It was a painful decision, but holding El Grito Chicago at this time puts the safety of our community at stake – and that's a risk we are unwilling to take."
"Mexicans don't back down," said El Grito Chicago organizer Korina Sanchez. "But ultimately, we really needed to weigh the risk versus — you know, standing our ground."
Sanchez said the decision to cancel El Grito was difficult. She said organizers talked with state and local leaders.
"Of course, they have concerns like everybody else had, but ultimately, they did say that whatever our choice was, they would support it," she said.
Sanchez said with 25,000 people expected — many who are documented — the hard call was to play it safe.
This came as border czar Tom Homan insisted sanctuary cities like Chicago will see a surge.
"I've said it 1,000 times. They will get exactly what they don't want — more agents in the communities, and more works on enforcement," Homan said, "because they won't let us arrest the bad guy in the safety and security of a county jail."
The Trump administration confirmed that federal agents are being sent to Chicago for increased immigration enforcement activities, which could begin as soon as Friday. Gov. JB Pritzker said he believes the timing is meant to coincide with Mexican Independence Day celebrations.
"We have reason to believe that Stephen Miller chose the month of September to come to Chicago because of celebrations around Mexican Independence Day that happen here every year," Pritzker said Tuesday. "It breaks my heart to report that we have been told ICE will try and disrupt community picnics and peaceful parades. Let's be clear: the terror and cruelty is the point, not the safety of anyone living here."
The mayor of North Chicago confirmed Thursday he has been in contact with officials at Naval Station Great Lakes who said ICE agents will be using the base as their operation center. He said he expects hundreds of agents to be there for about a month.
Meanwhile, an immigration facility in west suburban Broadview will operate 24/7 for 45 days as a processing center for the detainees picked up by ICE agents.
El Grito organizers said tickets will be refunded for anyone who has already purchased them through their website, and will be issued to the original form of payment. They will take seven to 15 days to process.
"We're saddened about the loss of an opportunity to uplift a vision of dignity, strength and belonging at a time when it's sorely needed," they said. "Although we cannot gather in Grant Park this month, we encourage you to still celebrate Mexican Independence Day in a safe, respectful and responsible way and support Mexican-American businesses around the city."
The Office of Mayor Brandon Johnson issued a statement Thursday evening on the cancellation of El Grito:
"It is shameful that the President's reckless, militarized immigration enforcement tactics have forced organizers of El Grito to postpone the celebration this year. While we are saddened that the celebration will not take place as expected, we respect that the organizers are doing what they believe is in the best interests of the city and the Mexican community. We will continue to work with the organizers of El Grito and other Mexican Independence Day events this month to support and promote safe celebrations.
"Through initiatives like our Know Your Rights and Family Preparedness campaigns, we will continue to empower Chicagoans with resources to stay informed, prepared, and connected so they can make decisions for themselves and their families about how to engage in public life. Chicago honors, celebrates, and loves its cultural communities, and that will not change.
"The City did not recommend cancelling or postponing the event. The City believes strongly that the decision to proceed with or cancel events this month is in the hands of the organizers and the communities hosting them. The City also believes that individuals and families should make their own decisions about whether to attend."
Not all events have been postponed. The Mexican Independence Day Parade in Pilsen will go on as scheduled this weekend.
"I know the president is working hard to intimidate the people of Chicago," Mayor Johnson said Thursday. "I'm not intimidated. No one should be."
Meanwhile, with immigration enforcement expected to ramp up, security fencing has been set up at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse downtown — lining the entire street frontage.
In a statement, the U.S. District Court said the fencing has been erected to "help those who need to access the courthouse do so safely." People who are arrested and are subject to deportation proceedings will not be brought before judges at the courthouse, as deportation hearings are administrative proceedings rather than judicial proceedings, the court said.
But anyone charged with violating a federal criminal law will be brought before a judge at the courthouse, the court said.
The courthouse remains open for all usual matters, including hearings, jury trials, and naturalization ceremonies, the court said.