Communities coming together connected through music, food and pride. And in uncertain times, Juan Carlos Cadima, the president of the Manassas Latino Festival, wants these sorts of celebrations to continue.
He told News4 it’s true there are some concerns over increased immigration and Customs Enforcement, but the festival is still set to take place on Sept. 27. Other organizers in the region have decided to cancel their events.
For the 23rd year, the Manassas Latino Festival will be taking place at Harris Pavilion. But that’s not the case for the Salvadorenisimo Festival in Gaithersburg. The event’s organizers are halting plans because they didn’t want to expose the community to possible encounters with ICE
“You know it’s a sad state of affairs,” Immigration Advocate Abel Nuñez with the Central American Resource Center said. “People feel threatened. People feel targeted.”
He said many of his clients fear being out in public, so he understands why some festivals are being postponed. He believes it’s unlikely ICE agents would be at these events but said it really comes down to how comfortable a person feels being out in public when making a decision on whether to attend.
“Right now, we need to celebrate, and I think it’s important to demonstrate not just to us, but to the rest of the community that we’re still here, we’re still working hard and we’re making this city strong,” Nuñez said.
Cadima said they have to celebrate and demonstrate that they’re here as a community and or going to continue to press on.
News4 reached out to ICE for comment about possible enforcement at these celebrations but has yet to hear back. Mauricio Casillas.
The organizers for Fiesta D.C. told News4 that they are also moving forward with plans for this year’s celebration on Sept. 27 and 28. Similar events have been canceled in cities like Chicago, Sacramento and Indianapolis.
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