‘El Grito Chicago,’ other events postponed due to potential ICE activity, National Guard deployment

CHICAGO — The Mexican independence celebration “El Grito Chicago,” originally scheduled for Sept. 13 and 14 at Grant Park in downtown Chicago, has been postponed along with other events due to possible ICE activity and the potential deployment of the National Guard.

Officials said the decision was made at the recommendation of state of Illinois and city of Chicago officials.

“This was a really hard decision,” El Grito Chicago organizer Korina Sanchez said. “What really cemented our decision yesterday was getting a call from the governor’s office and having someone from his office relay that he was recommending us to potentially not hold the event…to think that ICE could be targeting these festivities and tearing apart families is really hard to think about.”

The announcement comes as the lingering threat of federal ICE raids and the potential deployment of the National Guard continue to strike fear in several Chicago neighborhoods.

Given the festival’s location in downtown Chicago, officials said organizers recognized the festival can be seen as a “visible target” and determined the safety of the community must be top of mind.

“This was a painful decision; however, with the heightened political tensions and given our location in downtown Chicago, we need to keep our community safe,” said German Gonzalez, organizer of El Grito Chicago. “To proceed in spite of the advice we’ve received directly from city and state officials and potentially expose our community to becoming collateral damage would be irresponsible. That’s a risk we are not willing to take.”

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is encouraging protests, saying, “I’m telling people to know your rights, be extra careful, know there is a possibility ICE will be on the ground causing mayhem. Don’t play into their hand.”

Protesting, however, is reaction the president wants as justification, according to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

“The provocation that he would like to see take place through these protests is for him to say, ‘See? This is why I have to get control over these cities is use, you know, authoritarianism to justify it,’ even though he’s literally instigating or working to provoke, you know, the charge that people rightfully have,” Johnson said.

The mayor called the tactics that led to the postponement of El Grito “shameful,” and he expects to see ICE operations so soon as this weekend.

The mayor’s office also issued the following statement on the postponement of El Grito Chicago:

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. 

An official statement from festival officials can be found below:

The safety and wellbeing of community members, festival attendees, performers, vendors, and staff remain the organizers’ unwavering priority. While organizers share the profound disappointment this decision will bring to the thousands who eagerly anticipate El Grito Chicago, they believe postponement is the most responsible action to ensure everyone’s safety.

El Grito Chicago represents far more than a festival—it is a cherished celebration for all of Mexican Independence, rich cultural heritage, and the vibrant community bonds that unite Chicago-area families and individuals.

While organizers are heartbroken by this decision, their aim has always been to create a safe, affordable, family-friendly community festival, and they look forward to accomplishing that in the future.

Although the community will not gather in Grant Park this month, organizers encourage all to still celebrate Mexican Independence Day in a safe, respectful and responsible way and to support Mexican American businesses around the city and state. By shopping and dining at these establishments, the community can strengthen connections and celebrate heritage together.

El Grito Chicago remains committed to returning with an even more spectacular celebration when conditions allow and looks forward to reuniting the community for this honored tradition.

One El Grito vendor told WGN-TV she’s been preparing for the festival for months, but is now happy to pivot by selling her extra food as restaurant specials and encouraging smaller parties to celebrate the holiday.

“Yes, we’re disappointed. Yes, we’re sad. However, it’s the unknown that we’re all kind of protecting each other from, so we’re standing together as a community and as a culture, and I think it’s better to be safe,” Anna Kamilis, owner of The Outpost Mexican Eatery.

On Friday morning, the Little Village Chamber of Commerce announced that the 54th Annual Mexican Independence Day Parade next Sunday, Sept. 14 is still on.

North Chicago’s Mexican Independence Day parade postponed

Meanwhile, North Chicago’s Mexican Independence Day parade that was originally planned for Sunday, Sept. 14, has also been postponed.

“We do not want to give Donald Trump any excuse to stick the military on our communities. I think it’s better to be safe than sorry,” Pastor Julie Contreras of United Hope Church said.

According to Margaret Carrasco, parade organizer and president of Fiestas Patrias, the parade will be held in November and combined with Día de (los) Muertos.

“We’re hearing they’re going to do massive raids. Large events are being targeted,” Carrasco said. “We need to focus our energy and resources in protecting our community. There’s nothing to celebrate really in light of our Mexican community being attacked.”

Waukegan officials, faith residents hope to calm residents as possible ICE activity looms

Waukegan’s Mexican Independence Day parade is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 14, and will go on as planned, but organizers said they understand if people don’t feel safe attending.

Waukegan Police Chief Edgar Navarro issued an order that all 165 of his police officers be in officials uniform and not wear masks in order to distinguish themselves from ICE agents. That order is effective immediately.

Also in Waukegan, one family from Mexico is among those afraid at what could potentially happen in the coming days.

“It’s not easy for the children, what they’re going to be going through,” Contreras said. “It would be immoral, inhumane and a crime against humanity if children begin to be taken into custody.”

On Thursday, 6-year-old Callio and his 13-year-old aunt Shylee stayed home from school. Her mother Francisca said she’s too scared to send them to school.

“Yes, we have fear…that ICE arrives to the house, to the schools and they want to separate our families,” Francisca said.

Francisca’s immigration case was submitted for asylum and she was granted a work permit, but is concerned ICE agents could still target her family.

“That’s what’s so scary for them today, that they see non-criminal individuals being taken into custody and placed into inhumane detention centers,” Contreras said.

Callio, who is in kindergarten and just had a Spider-Man themed birthday party, wants to be back in the classroom.

“I am a child. I am not a criminal,” Callio said. “I love to study and I want all my friends to be safe.”

Shylee is an eighth-grader who recently won first place in her school’s art competition. She’s also worried about what could happen over the next few days.

“We’re afraid that ICE will arrive to our school and they’re going to deport us back to our place of origin,” Shylee said. “Because in Mexico, we all live the life of the cartels there, and us the children, we don’t want to be part of that.”

According to Contreras, a Department of Homeland Security vehicle was parked outside the local Social Security office last week. Residents were hesitant to go there.

“It’s the saddest thing because they fled imminent danger, and now they’re in imminent danger here,” Contreras said.