![\"Parade](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PTB-L-EC-PARADE-0915-12.jpg\")
Parade participants ride ponies and horses past paradegoers during the Fiestas Patrias Parade in East Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (Kyle Telechan\/for the Post-Tribune)<\/p>\nThe East Chicago Mexican Independence Day Parade and Festival will go on as planned Sunday, Uni\u00f3n Ben\u00e9fica Mexicana organizers said, as the 101st annual celebration will take on a call to action similar to the parade\u2019s origin.<\/p>\n
Uni\u00f3n Ben\u00e9fica Mexicana President Marino Solorio said as Mexican Independence Day, or Fiesta Patrias, celebrations in Chicago have been postponed or seen smaller crowds, the East Chicago organizers had discussions about potentially canceling the celebration.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were talks early on to cancel the whole thing to not put into jeopardy any of our people, or community. That\u2019s the last thing we would want,\u201d Solorio said. \u201cWe do believe that the call to action is a lot stronger than the potential outcomes. Everybody will have to make a decision, but at the end of the day, we cannot let our voices be silenced.\u201d<\/p>\n
Parade participants ride ponies and horses past paradegoers during the Fiestas Patrias Parade in East Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (Kyle Telechan\/for the Post-Tribune)<\/p>\n
The event, which highlights East Chicago\u2019s Mexican culture, is the oldest parade in the state of Indiana, Solorio said. The parade was created more than 100 years ago as a call to action as homes and businesses in East Chicago, a large Mexican enclave, were raided, Solorio said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like this parade is less of a parade about showcasing the culture, and it\u2019s more like a march, a march to action,\u201d Solorio said. \u201cWe also believe there is legitimate concern of what could happen in the area, however, we feel that our voices need to be heard and let people know that we\u2019re not scared. We are going to continue with our traditions.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Chicago Tribune reported that the 24th annual Pilsen Mexican Independence Day Parade Saturday saw smaller crowds than in previous years. But those in attendance said they were proud to celebrate their culture despite threats at the federal level.<\/p>\n
![\"Chicago-based](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PTB-L-EC-PARADE-0915-8.jpg\")
Chicago-based Tamborazo Tierra Brava peform from the back of a float during the Fiestas Patrias Parade in East Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (Kyle Telechan\/for the Post-Tribune)<\/p>\n
President Donald Trump posted on social media earlier Saturday morning an AI-created image of military helicopters flying over Chicago\u2019s lakefront with the title \u201cChipocalypse Now,\u201d seemingly setting the stage for heightened immigration enforcement actions, the Chicago Tribune reported.<\/p>\n
The Department of Homeland Security announced Monday it is beginning a surge of immigration law enforcement in Chicago, dubbing it \u201cOperation Midway Blitz\u201d and claiming it will target \u201ccriminal illegal aliens\u201d who have taken advantage of the city and state\u2019s sanctuary policies, the Chicago Tribune reported.<\/p>\n
The announcement comes more than two weeks after Trump began to say he was planning to target Chicago over crime, causing Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson to caution residents to prepare for potential immigration sweeps, the Chicago Tribune reported.<\/p>\n
El Grito Chicago, a downtown Mexican Independence Day festival scheduled for next weekend, was postponed to Sept. 15. Other festivals in the Chicago area were postponed as well, the Chicago Tribune reported.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PTB-L-EC-PARADE-0915-14.jpg\")
A vintage truck flying United States and Mexican Flags cruises down Columbus Drive during the Fiestas Patrias Parade in East Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (Kyle Telechan\/for the Post-Tribune)<\/p>\n
The Little Village parade scheduled for next week will go on as planned, organizers told the Chicago Tribune Friday. Organizers of Saturday\u2019s Pilsen parade doubled down on their decision to continue, saying they wouldn\u2019t be stopped from celebrating \u201cour heritage, our culture\u201d despite deportation fears, the Chicago Tribune reported.<\/p>\n
As of Tuesday, Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez said he has not received information about potential federal law enforcement operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or any other federal agency at the festivities in East Chicago this weekend.<\/p>\n
Federal action to forcibly remove people near their homes, businesses or churches separates families and destabilizes a community, Solorio said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy removing one person at a time, or even multiple people at a time, you\u2019re destroying that fabric that we have worked so hard in creating,\u201d Solorio said.<\/p>\n
Federal immigration efforts have been focused on Democratic states and cities, so Solorio said he hopes East Chicago\u2019s location in Republican-led Indiana will serve as a safeguard.<\/p>\n
![\"East](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PTB-L-EC-PARADE-0915-2.jpg\")
East Chicago Central Spanish Club volunteers and participants throw candy from a float during the Fiestas Patrias Parade in East Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (Kyle Telechan\/for the Post-Tribune)<\/p>\n
Still, Solorio said he never imagined planning a Mexican Independence Day parade amid intensified immigration enforcement, but it goes to show that calls to action can occur at any time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need good leaders to be there to respond to it and to step up to that plate,\u201d Solorio said.<\/p>\n
East Chicago police officers will provide security, Solorio said. The officers have secured the celebration for many years, he said, so they know how to best protect the people in attendance.<\/p>\n
Frances Vega-Steele, vice president of UBM, stated in a Facebook post that expressed the organization\u2019s appreciation to Martinez and the Foundations of East Chicago for generous donations to the celebrations.<\/p>\n
\u201cI deeply appreciate their prompt response and commitment to helping us celebrate and serve our Northwest Indiana communities,\u201d Vega-Steele wrote.<\/p>\n
In a statement, Martinez said as a proud Mexican American and he\u2019s honored to support the celebrations. He declined to share how much he donated.<\/p>\n
Martinez said he will walk the parade and greet those along the route. The department will also showcase its marked police patrol cars and other equipment, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis celebration is more than a tradition \u2014 it is a time to honor our history, share our culture, and bring our community together,\u201d Martinez said. \u201cI am proud to contribute to an event that reflects the values of unity, pride and heritage that make our country strong.\u201d<\/p>\n
The parade steps off from Block Stadium at 12 p.m. Sunday. The festival starts at 2 p.m. at the East Chicago Marina.<\/p>\n