Every year during Hispanic Heritage Month, large-scale celebrations can be expected across the United States to showcase the diversity and culture of Hispanic people.
This year, the federal government led the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. English-only initiative And anti-diversity, fairness, and inclusive pushes have changed the national environment in which these celebrations occur. Organizers across the country, from Massachusetts and North Carolina to California and Washington, have postponed or canceled the Heritage Month Festival altogether.
Celebrated each year from September 15th to October 15th, the month could learn and celebrate the contributions of Hispanic culture, the fastest growing racial or ethnic minority in the United States, according to the US census. This group includes people whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America.
The latest census estimates identify more than 68 million people as ethnic Hispanics in the United States.
How did Hispanic Heritage Month begin?
Before there was National Hispanic Heritage Month, there was Hispanic Heritage Week. It was created through a law sponsored by Mexican-American Representative Edward R. Roybal in Los Angeles, and was signed into law in 1968 by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
The weekly commemoration was expanded 20 years later, a month later, and the law was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan.
“We gathered around a major community celebration,” said Alberto Lamars, communications director at UCLA’s Institute for Latin Policy and Politics. “It has given people the opportunity to get to know Hispanic culture, to get to know Latinos better their communities and to get to know Americans a little better about the long history of Latinos in America.”
September 15 was chosen as the starting point coinciding with the anniversary of the “El Grito de Dolores” or “The Cry of Dolores” issued in 1810 from the Mexican town that began the war of independence from Spain.
Central American countries, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, celebrate independence on September 15th, while Mexico will celebrate Nation Day on September 16th the day after the cries of independence.
Also during National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Chilean nation of South America will observe September 18th Independence Day.
The White House has not mentioned any planned events so far. Last year, President Joe Biden hosted a reception and issued a declaration for the occasion.
Who are Hispanics?
Hispanic was a term coined by the federal government for descendants of Spanish-speaking cultures. But for some, the label has political conservatism, highlighting its connection to Spain. It may be incorrectly exchanged for “Latin” or “Latin”.
For some, Latinos reflects their relationship with Latin America. Therefore, some celebrations are called Latin or Latin Heritage Month.
Latinos are not monoliths. Latinos have several other identifiers, mainly based on their personal preferences. Mexican-Americans who grew up in the civil rights era of the 1960s may identify them as Chicano. Others may go to the country of their family, such as Columbian or Salvadoranian American.
When it comes to music, food, art and other cultural touchstones, each culture has its own unique differences.
The fear of immigration leads to cancellation of celebrations
There is usually no shortage of celebrations in September. Events often include traditional Latin cuisine and entertainment such as Maria Ciband, folk chrico and salsa dance lessons. The intent is to showcase the cultures of Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and other Latin countries.
Masked Ice Agents Through President Donald Trump’s Workplace Raid farm, Manufacturing factory And elsewhere, it included detention of legal residents — some feared that large gatherings would become additional targets of the attack. Another disability estate celebration is the perception that they violate the ban on DEI programming. Some companies and universities follow suit.
In early September, organizers of the Mexican Independence Festival in Chicago announced that they would postpone the celebration due to Trump’s promise to crack down on immigration in the city.
“It was a painful decision, but holding El Grito Chicago at this point puts the safety of our community at risk. It’s a risk we don’t want to take,” the festival organizer said.
No new dates have been announced yet. Mexico’s Independence Day takes place on September 16th, but celebrations in Chicago usually last for more than a week, attracting hundreds of thousands of participants for lively parades, festivals, street parties and caravans.
“The fact that the federal government is sending troops when we start these celebrations is an insult,” Democrat Illinois Sen. Karina Villa said at a press conference. “It’s a terrifying tactic. It’s not allowed.”
Similarly, Sacramento’s annual Mexican Independence Day Festival was cancelled along with organizers due to political situations and safety concerns.
Other cancelled events include Hispanic Heritage Festival in CarolinaHispanic Heritage Festival in Kenner, Louisiana Fiesta Indianapolis.
The protest could replace a cancelled festival
Ivan Sandoval Cervantes, anthropology professor at the University of Las Vegas at the University of Nevada, said that if celebrations are cancelled from above, it will affect the way they are seen across the country. He was barely leading until this year’s Heritage Month as he was promoting the celebration in Las Vegas.
“If they are not praised in a particular state, they may enter private territory, not that they are not celebrated,” Sandoval Cervantes said. “If it’s safer to accept symbols or speak Spanish.”
In Mexico, the government has launched a new appeal to raise awareness among Mexican immigrants in order to take all possible precautions during holidays as incidents such as driving could lead to deportation.
“Not celebrating, be careful,” President Claudia Sinbaum said Friday.
On Thursday, the Mexican Foreign Secretary said there will be more consulate staff working to respond to emergencies. Mexicans who have been suspended by US authorities are encouraged not to flee, remain silent and not to sign documents.
Chicago-Latin leaders have been sought by residents to maintain peace during the expected protests at Mexico’s Independence Day celebrations, claiming that mayhem could be used as justification for sending federal troops to cities.
“We do not allow others to use our fears or anger towards us,” said Bert Aguyo of the Chicago Latin Caucus Association. “We don’t take food. We know our rights. We protect each other and protest peacefully.”
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Associated Press author Christine Fernando of Chicago and María Verza of Mexico City contributed to this report.
