A year after canceling the event due to ICE enforcement operations in Chicago, the El Grito festival will return to Grant Park this fall.
According to organizers, the annual celebration of Mexican Independence Day will return to Grant Park on Sept. 12 and 13.
“We return stronger than ever,” organizations said.
General admission tickets are now on sale for the event, which makes its return after being abruptly postponed less than two weeks prior to the festival last September.
The festival was postponed last year over concerns during “Operation: Midway Surge” in Chicago.
“Chicago (was postponed) due to possible U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity and a potential National Guard deployment,” organizers said, saying the festival was a “more visible target” for enforcement actions.
“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,” organizer German Gonzalez said in a statement. “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.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson blasted the Trump administration and immigration enforcement agencies over the cancellation last year.
“It is shameful that the President’s reckless, militarized immigration enforcement tactics have forced organizers of El Grito to postpone the celebration this year,” Johnson said in a statement. “Chicago honors, celebrates, and loves its cultural communities, and that will not change.”
An event was still held in Pilsen, and residents still celebrated the holiday across the city.
More information can be found on the El Grito website.
