The 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood will go on as planned, organizers said Friday.

The parade will step off on Sept. 14 despite ongoing fears about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and an immigration crackdown promised by the Trump administration.

Saturday's parade in Pilsen will also go on as planned. 

Friday leaders and community organizers gathered to warn people about the immigration enforcement ramp-up, and to encourage them to know and defend their rights.

"This year the stakes are higher, and they're not just cultural," said Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (D-IL 14). "Our communtiy is under attack."

Chicago has immigration rights resources online in both English and Spanish.

Rep. Garcia and other community leaders made the announcement under the iconic Little Village arch. They urged people to attend events and patronize businesses ahead of Hispanic Heritage Month, but acknowledged some may stay home.

"If you feel unsafe, don't put yourself at risk," Garcia said.

"They are trying to dim our light," said Alma Maya, 7th District Cook County Board commissioner. "They are trying to dim our clture. But we're here to say we are going to continue to be here."

Officials in Little Village said celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month with festivities such as the city's Mexican Independence Day parades this year is an act of defiance against the Trump administration.

"These latest tactics coming from the White House will not prevent us from fighting in pursuit of all of our civil and constitutional rights, and as the declaration of our country promises us, the pursuit of happiness for all of our families and all of our people in all of our communities here in Illinois and across the country. We ain't going nowhere," Garcia said.

Little Village Chamber of Commerce executive director Jennifer Aguilar said postponing or canceling this year's parade on 26th Street out of fears about the Trump administration's planned immigration crackdown in Chicago, "would have been an even further drop in morale for our community."

Organizers said they are working closely with city officials to make security their top priority. They said their event will feature volunteers to monitor for ICE agents and rapid response teams down 26th Street.

The decision was made after the two-day El Grito Chicago Mexican Independence Day Festival was postponed. Organizers of that festival said holding off is the most responsible action they can take to ensure everyone's safety. 

Street vendors said it's good news to hear the parade won't be canceled. A vendor named Juan told CBS News Chicago the postponement of El Grito could mean a loss of business for him, but the safety of the community is more important. 

Rose Haro, vice president of Food Hero on 26th Street, which features a culinary school, cafe, grocery store and services to help entrepreneurs, said the effect of immigration operations on the community has been noticeable.

"We are noticing, like today, usually these corners are filled, and today they're not," she said.

She said fears of ICE have impacted small businesses, but she hopes events like the parade can spark more activity.

"It's exciting, but t's still scary you know? Because we're— I'm sure a lot of people are not gonna come out because of that fear, but I'm hoping they do," Haro said.

The 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade draws hundreds of thousands of participants each year, according to the Little Village Chamber of Commerce.