Fiesta DC, the nation’s largest Hispanic festival, still a go despite ICE raid concerns

Fiesta D C considered the nation s largest Hispanic festival will continue as scheduled in late September despite growing concerns surrounding the Trump administration s immigration policies The two-day annual event scheduled for Sept and has brought over thousands of people to Pennsylvania Avenue to celebrate Latino values through live performances food and a beauty pageant It is capped off with a parade featuring traditional costumes and folk dances from all over Latin America Maria Patricia Corrales president of Fiesta D C communicated WTOP the festival s board has already met with multiple federal and local agencies including the Department of Homeland Safeguard with each giving Fiesta D C their blessing We were in agreement early in the year that the festival will go on and it will go on as scheduled Corrales stated Nationwide raids by U S Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have led to multiple concerts and events being canceled On Thursday the Congressional Hispanic Caucus called for more oversight of ICE agents and facilities with Rep Sylvia Garcia of Texas saying the administration has shown an abject contempt for the Constitution They ve twisted the Department of Homeland Assurance into a secret police force to terrorize immigrants and in a multitude of cases U S Citizens as well Garcia announced They re wearing masks and ambushing people Fears of audience members being taken by ICE agents led organizers of an annual Salvadoran festival Salvadore isimo Festival in Montgomery County Maryland to scrap this year s event Corrales stated she acknowledged that the fear does exist and understands why selected may consider postponing their events However she mentioned it is significant that the area s Hispanic district remain strong as it has done in the past She also called on organizers of future events to not abandon the idea of exchanging heritage because that s what festivals do We have to demonstrate that we are a very strong area she stated Every year Fiesta D C highlights a specific country as part of its events along with announcing special musical performances and contests guests can participate in This year s event will highlight Honduras with Corrales saying there are plans for a dancing marathon revolving around Punta the country s native dance There are also plans for best pupusa and best outfit contests My commitment is to show the new generations and the new friends that come to the District what is the practices traditions and what is it to be in Washington D C Corrales commented The Associated Press also contributed to this analysis Source