In Mexico and parts of Central America, it is a day of remembrance and celebration of deceased family members and friends.
For generations, it has been home to altars, Aztec dances and marigold displays from late October to early November. The day to honor the dead was also a day for the living to gather together.
But some celebrations are being reconsidered over concerns that participants could be drawn into deportation raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
The Department of Homeland Security announced this week that the number of deportations has exceeded the number since the Trump administration took office in January. According to the ministry, more than 2 million people have left the country.
As the attacks continue, some organizers of this weekend’s Dia de los Muertos events are planning celebrations, while others are canceling them.
A Times reporter spoke with event organizers to learn what differences they have.
Cancellation is policy
A colleague of mine reported in mid-September that it has drawn significant crowds in the past.
City spokesperson Kevin Lee said the event was canceled “out of an abundance of caution” at the request of Councilwoman Mary Zendejas, as it is a “large, very public outdoor event.” Officials were not aware of any targeted federal enforcement activity.
“This decision was not made lightly,” Zendejas and the city said in a statement. The decision addresses “genuine anxiety caused by local residents, particularly those who may face the possibility of sudden and indiscriminate federal enforcement action that undermines the sense of security they need to fully participate in public life.”
Roberto Carlos Lemus, a marketer who brought food trucks and other vendors to the festival last year, said the cancellation was “very sad.”
“Everyone is very sad about this situation. The Festival of the Dead has been one of the biggest celebrations in a long time, and the city has done a great job organizing it,” Lemus told the Times. “Unfortunately, I understand why they made that decision as Latino Americans are being kidnapped and attacked by ICE and the current administration.”
This behavior was mirrored elsewhere. The Santa Barbara Museum of Contemporary Art’s reasoning was “.” Northern California also canceled its celebrations for similar reasons.
move forward
Some people will not allow attacks on immigrants to disrupt their celebrations.
Last year, the celebration in downtown Riverside drew tens of thousands of visitors. This year’s two-day free event will feature Aztec dancers, pageants, processions, Lucha Libre wrestlers, and altars (ofrendras set in traditional stands and classic cars) on Saturday and Sunday.
The event, held on Market Street between University Avenue and 14th Street, continues to grow in popularity, said organizer Cosme Cordova.
Cordova said he did not know if 60 altars would be set up, as was the case last year, or if 45,000 people would attend on Saturday, the most popular of the two days.
“People are scared because of what’s going on,” he said. “But we won’t cancel.”
Cordova said he has hired security personnel and said Riverside police and the mayor will be present.
“We are working with the city and other agencies to make sure everything goes well,” Cordova said. “This is a community event, and we’re not worried about anyone destroying it.”
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