Chicago Mexican Independence Day events nixed as Trump admin plans to deploy ICE

Organizers hold annual events in Chicago to celebrate Mexican Independence Day, which is on September 16. Chicago typically draws thousands of attendees, with more than 21 percent of the city’s population of Mexican heritage. However, at least three events have been canceled or postponed, according to The Guardian. Among them is El Grito Chicago, which attracted 24,000 people last year and was scheduled for September 13–14.

“It was a painful decision, but holding El Grito Chicago at this time puts the safety of our community at stake – and that’s a risk we are unwilling to take,” a statement on the event’s website read. “While we’re torn by this decision, when we brought this celebration back, our aim was to create a safe, affordable, family-friendly, community festival for all.”

The cancellations come as the Trump administration prepares to deploy federal agents, many of them tasked with enforcing immigration laws, as part of a broader national crackdown on crime and illegal immigration. Protests broke out in Chicago on Saturday against the plans. Demonstrators chanted “ICE escucha estamos en la lucha,” “Viva Palestina,” and “Donald Trump, you stupid clown, you aren’t welcome in our town.”

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker suggested the timing of the operation was deliberate, accusing White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller of selecting the month of September to intervene in Chicago because it coincides with Mexican Independence Day celebrations.

Pritzker has repeatedly clashed with Trump over the president’s push to send federal forces into Chicago. He recently criticized a social media post in which Trump said the city was “about to find out why it’s called the Department of War,” referencing his administration’s renaming of the Department of Defense.

“The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city,” Pritzker posted on X. “This is not a joke. This is not normal. Donald Trump isn't a strongman, he's a scared man. Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.”