‘There is nothing to celebrate:’ Organizers cancel West Side Cinco De Mayo Parade citing fears over Trump administration’s immigration policies

CHICAGO — The annual Cinco De Mayo parade on the city’s West Side will not be taking place this year, organizers announced Thursday, citing fears over the Trump administration’s immigration policies and their impact on the community.

According to Hector Escobar, the president of the Cermak Road Chamber of Commerce and Casa Puebla, organizers have chosen to cancel this year’s event due to concerns over how the Trump administration is treating the Mexican community.

“Our community is very frightened because of the raids and the threat that ICE has imposed on the families that work tirelessly to provide a better future for their kids,” Escobar said in a statement.

Organizers said people in the community are afraid to put their family’s safety at risk and added that any money the organization would have raised from the event was not worth the risk.

“Our community has faced bullying and prosecution and are not indulging in community activities, there for we feel that there is nothing to celebrate,” Escobar said

It is unclear if any of the events scheduled to take place around the parade have been canceled and organizers said they hope to continue with the celebration in the coming years as “things get situated” in the near future.

It is not the first time the parade has faced disruptions. Last year, organizers were forced to reroute the event after reports of gang violence in the area near the parade route.

The parade has also seen several other cancellations in years past due to unforeseen circumstances.