Folklórico dancer Josefina Rodriguez marched down and danced in Pilsen’s 24th annual Mexican Independence Day parade, undeterred by the Trump administration’s plans to ramp up immigration enforcement in Chicago.
“I don’t feel scared,” Rodriguez, 80, told the Sun-Times. “I’m very happy to participate. I hope this tradition will never end. I hope people won’t be scared.
“We’re here, and we’re not leaving,” she added.
G. Mejia, 4, plays under a Mexican flag near West 16th Street in Pilsen before the Mexican Independence Day Parade kicked off Saturday.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Itzlasiwal Gamboa holds her baby Venus Gamboa, who is two and a half months old, during the Mexican Independence Day Parade on West 18th Street in Pilsen on Saturday.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Paradegoers march on West 18th Street during the Mexican Independence Day Parade in Pilsen on Saturday.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Paradegoers march as police officers monitor the area on West 18th Street during the Mexican Independence Day Parade in Pilsen on Saturday.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Pablo Ramirez with the Pilsen Arts and Community House distributes whistles to paradegoers before the Mexican Independence Day Parade near West 16th Street in Pilsen on Saturday. People were instructed to use their whistles if they saw I.C.E. agents. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Aubree Lugo, 7, sits on top of a car during the Mexican Independence Day Parade in Pilsen on Saturday.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Miguel Angelo, who said some of his relatives were afraid to attend the Mexican Independence Day Parade because of potential I.C.E. activity, waves a Mexican flag on West 18th Street in Pilsen on Saturday. “There is fear but if you’re in a crowd, you feel safer. I feel united. This is who we are,” Angelo said. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Paradegoers march on West 18th Street during the Mexican Independence Day Parade in Pilsen on Saturday.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
People watch the Mexican Independence Day Parade on West 18th Street in Pilsen on Saturday.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
A paradegoer stands beside a painting of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the “Father of Mexican Independence,” during the Mexican Independence Day Parade near West 16th Street and South Newberry Avenue in Pilsen on Saturday.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
An attendee holds a sign that reads, “No ICE” during the Mexican Independence Day Parade on West 18th Street in Pilsen on Saturday.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Paradegoers march as police officers monitor the area on West 18th Street during the Mexican Independence Day Parade in Pilsen on Saturday.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Paradegoers on horses near West 16th Street and South Peoria Street prepare for the Mexican Independence Day Parade in Pilsen on Saturday.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” Garcia and U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley march during the Mexican Independence Day Parade on West 18th Street in Pilsen on Saturday.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Paradegoers march as police officers monitor the area on West 18th Street during the Mexican Independence Day Parade in Pilsen on Saturday.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Paradegoers demanding a stop to deportations chant during the Mexican Independence Day Parade on West 18th Street in Pilsen on Saturday.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
An attendee holds a sign that reads, “No king,” in reference to President Donald Trump during the Mexican Independence Day Parade in Pilsen on Saturday.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Paradegoers march on West 18th Street during the Mexican Independence Day Parade in Pilsen on Saturday.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Rodriguez, of Little Village, was just one of thousands gathered to celebrate the parade, despite President Donald Trump saying federal agents “are going in” to Chicago in his mission to curb crime and make immigration arrests in Chicago. Sen. Dick Durbin, Rep. Mike Quigley and Rep. Jesús “Chuy” Garcia were in attendance at the parade.
“It’s important to show up,” Garcia told the Sun-Times. “It’s important to live normally, and it’s important to invite all of our allies to be supportive of the community. This is the time for solidarity.”
The parade in Pilsen is just one of several events planned throughout the city for Mexican Independence Day, including the Little Village parade happening Sept. 14. The two-day annual El Grito festival was recently postponed due to possible U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.
Organizers said there were more people in attendance this year at the Pilsen parade, but they didn’t provide exact estimates. In previous years, organizers said, around 3,000 people showed up.
Vicky Lugo, secretary of the United Merchants of Pilsen Chamber of Commerce, said many people are scared to show up to events like the parade due to anti-immigrant rhetoric and the threat of arrests.
“But because we felt the support of the community … that is why we decided to continue on with the parade,” she told the Sun-Times. “We have to be a voice for a people without a voice.”
Paradegoers demanding a stop to deportations chant during the Mexican Independence Day Parade on West 18th Street in Pilsen on Saturday.
Durbin said he’s seen a “genuine fear” in the city of increased immigration arrests. He said it was important to him to show up to the parade as tensions rise.
“I’ve told people, be careful, but don’t be afraid,” he said.
Lugo said the parade went on with additional precautions, such as parade participants handing out whistles for people to sound if ICE was present or attempting to make arrests. No ICE agents were seen at the parade.
Andrea Soria, 27, walked alongside her 6-year-old daughter, handing out whistles to parade attendees. She said she had a lot of mixed emotions since many community members were scared to participate in the parade.
“A community that helps out is what makes stronger people,” Soria, a resident of Hermosa Park, said. “It feels good that we’re here to do this.”
Itzlasiwal Gamboa holds her baby, Venus Gamboa, who is two and a half months old, during the Mexican Independence Day Parade on West 18th Street in Pilsen on Saturday.
Some community members, like Cristina Vazquez, said they felt like the crowds were smaller.
“A lot of people didn’t come out because they’re scared,” said Vazquez, 40, who lives in Pilsen. “We have to show up and support.”
Rafael Yañiz walked with his three children and wife in the parade, waving the Mexican flag. Yañiz, who is Mexican and from Pilsen, said it’s sad to see how many people are scared of immigration enforcement around the city.
But, he said, people will continue to fight back.
“We’re celebrating people who have immigrated,” he said. “The parade is a way for us to not forget where we’ve come from, and celebrate our culture. We’re going to keep fighting and keep our hope.”
