Many of the month’s events in Hispanic and Latin American Heritage across the United States have been cancelled due to ice horrors. The San Francisco lowrider parade has been rounded up.
The annual Chicago Parade celebrates Mexico’s pride amid immigration concerns
Chicago’s 86th Mexican Independence Day Parade celebrates its legacy amidst immigration tensions.
- Fear of immigrant raids led to the cancellation of several Hispanic and Latin American heritage events across the United States
- San Francisco’s annual lowrider parade went on despite concerns about the national political situation and ice agents.
- Organizers made it available to police and legal rights lawyers to protect participants and to affirm civil rights.
San Francisco – Isagomez ‘The biggest worry of the year this year is whether the rain usually ruins her favorite festival: the San Francisco’s annual lowrider parade.
But she took a photo and cheered with the colorful cavalry of Buick, Cadillac and Chevy cruising, or recently bouncing up and down Mission Street. Gomez had not seen heaven. Instead, she was paying attention to federal immigration agents.
She saw nothing.
The threat of immigration crackdown has caused cancellations and reduced events nationwide during the ongoing Hispanic and Latin American heritage month. However, San Francisco’s late September “King of the Street: Purposeful Cruise” event continued as usual.
There was no sign even at the parade protesting President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, said Gomez, 33, who wore an anti-ice T-shirt that made her point clear.
“It feels like we’re waiting for the other shoes to fall, but it’s great to come out and celebrate,” Gomez said.
Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month
Since 1968, the country has first celebrated Hispanic and Latin American heritage for a week.
The national event celebrates the culture of people with Spanish heritage, including ancestors from Mexico, Spain, Central, South America and the Caribbean. According to the 2024 census, more than 68 million Americans (about 1 in 5) are ethnically Hispanic.
California, which is Latinos, is a target for President Trump’s immigration crackdown. These attacks target this rapidly growing group more than any other group.
However, other cities have also been targeted for migrant attacks, with many Latino communities muting or canceling their heritage month celebrations entirely.
Organizers of the September annual Elgrito Festival in downtown Chicago have decided that Trump will postpone the weekend celebration due to a pledge to crack down on immigration in the city. “It was painful, 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’s website reported.
Both Milwaukee and Sacramento, California, have cancelled their annual Indepedence Day celebrations in Mexico.
And all Hispanic Heritage Festival in Kenner, Louisiana, and the annual Fiesta celebration in Indianapolis have been cancelled.
Lowrider Parade celebrates Hispanic culture and more
The cancellation put a strain on Roberto Hernandez, president of the San Francisco Low Rider Council four years ago and organizer of the Low Rider Parade. What happened elsewhere confirmed his resolve to make sure the San Francisco event was well organized – from over 500 lowriders, or “moving masterpieces” at the parade, there were enough police and legal rights groups attorneys available.
Given the growing political climate and rhetoric, the parade is more than a cultural celebration, noted Natalia Morina, professor of American studies at the University of Southern California.
“It’s also a powerful reminder that Latinos are civil rights US citizens. By cruising, they not only celebrate our legacy, but also exercise and affirm the rights that we all strive to protect.” Nayarit location: How Mexican restaurants nourish the community. “When I see so many events cancelled, and definitely worse – when it’s boning down, it warms my heart to hear this fun event move forward.”
Hernandez agrees.
“We felt more than ever that we needed to do this. We live in a beautiful country built on democracy,” Hernandez said three days before the parade. “We encourage people to bring your flag and your cultural awareness. Be proud of who you are and enjoy the show.”
Hernandez, a longtime San Francisco community leader who volunteered for famous labor movement leaders Cesar Chavez and Dolores Fuerta, recalled receiving emails from other organizers across the United States when they discussed the monthly plans for their heritage.
“I’m telling them to do that,” Hernandez said. “Don’t be scared, don’t be afraid.”
The Heritage Month event is more than just celebrating culture, said USC professor Molina. They are also about education.
“These are opportunities for people to learn about Latino history, civil rights and social movements,” Molina said. “When we reach the point of this country where education is considered a threat, it is a threat to all of us. When knowledge itself becomes something we fear, we face a much deeper risk as a nation.”
San Francisco is one of Trump’s targets
In late August, Trump said it was one of the US cities that San Francisco wanted to send out the National Guard. Trump insisted that Democrats “destroy” the city and “clean it” with the federal forces. A month later, if Trump decides that next year’s World Cup match, including San Francisco, is unsafe, it appears he will not be able to do it with such relatively few notices.
San Francisco is a sanctuary city that prevents city police and staff from helping to enforce federal immigration unless required by state or federal law, and has seen clashes this summer between protesters and ice agents.
San Francisco police recently sent notes to officials to help or prevent ice agents from arresting immigrants, or to take action only when “it is necessary to protect lives and property.”
During the parade, San Francisco police and rapid transit maintained a relatively low profile, except when they had to keep traffic moving in bouncing cars (as high as 10 feet) and onlookers had to make sure they were taking photos and videos.
“I can breathe a little.”
San Francisco native Cesar Hernandez, 41, came to the parade to show off the 1952 Buick Super Black 4-door.
The teen, who had just got her permission, posed for the photo, and everyone in her ears said that the car would be hers – one day.
“She asked me, “Dad, does that mean I can drive tomorrow?” “I laughed and told her, ‘Never, baby.”
Hernandez, a nonprofit youth worker, said the parade was a welcome relief, from cars to live Mariaci and banda music.
“This is the moment when everyone can breathe a little,” Hernandez said. “If you don’t have to worry about daily stress.”
Kevin Kaleon, 54, a member of the Low Creations Car Club, one of San Francisco’s oldest kind, said he was surprised by the parade vote. Kaleon and his girlfriend, Daisy Sanchez, 51, agreed to see the festivities and take photos of themselves in the 1963 Buick Riviera, a shining cream-coloured 1963.
“It’s good to see it come out of all sorts of Hispanic, black, white, and Asians,” said Kaleon, who has spent nearly $8,000 upgrading his car over the years. “This looks like America to me, man.”
The fun outweighed fears of immigrant crackdown, the couple, both citizens said.
“I mean, seeing this, this is one big family affair,” Sanchez said with a shaking head. “I see a lot of smiles, a lot of happiness. We need this. We shouldn’t be afraid.”
When Roberto Hernandez, chairman of the Lowrider Council, went down Mission Street, he was attacked by attendees. Some were grateful that they didn’t cancel the parade, and hugged him and kissed him.
“At one point, it really brought me so much joy that I was able to cry, smile, dance and have a good time on the spot. “It really meant the world to me because they had the courage to come out.”
