Fiesta Patrias Mexican Independence Day parade postponed for ICE concerns; Waukegan parade still on
A Mexican Independence Day parade in the northern suburbs has been postponed.
The Fiesta Patrias parade had been planned for Sunday, Sept. 14.
Organizers of the parade said there are safety concerns due to possible U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity and a potential National Guard deployment.
The parade will now be delayed until November, and will be combined with Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, celebrations.
Margaret Carrasco, president of Fiesta Patrias, said in a statement, "On behalf of the entire Fiestas Patrias Organizing Volunteers we are sincerely sorry, but this was the Smartest and Safest Strategy to do to protect our community."
Earlier reports said the Waukegan Mexican Independence Day Parade had been postponed but that was inaccurate. The Fiesta Patrias organization is located in Waukegan, but they are not the same organization that holds the permits for the Waukegan parade.
Organizers for the Waukegan Mexican Independence Day Parade said they are still planning to hold their parade on Sunday, Sept. 14, but are closely monitoring ICE activity and will make a decision about whether or not the parade will continue as planned closer to the date for the safety of their community.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated and the video has been taken down because it contained inaccurate information about which parade has been postponed.