Pall of ICE spoils weekend celebrations in Chicago: I think people are just scared'

"But this year, things are much, much different because of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that have been happening in and around Chicago since early September. In the Chicago neighborhoods of Pilsen and Little Village, Halloween, All Saints Day on 1 November, and Dia de los Muertos collectively play an important part in bringing the community together to celebrate, mourn and pray as a whole. This year, amid ICE enforcement and raids, the celebrations were a lot more muted."

"Clearly, it's because of ICE, Romero said. Referring to how JB Pritzker, the Illinois governor, had unsuccessfully requested that the Trump administration pause immigration enforcement operations for the Halloween weekend which began Friday, she added: I think people are just scared. It's just kind of sad that kids are not allowed to have fun on a day where they should be [kids]."

"At any point throughout years past, the corridors of 18th Street in Pilsen and 26th Street in Little Village would be packed with people. Those same corridors were much more empty for hours at a time when the Halloween weekend began Friday on this occasion. Despite Pritzker's plea to let families celebrate Halloween, federal agents released what is colloquially referred to as teargas on 25 October in Old Irving Park in an incident that led to the cancellation of a Halloween parade."

Cecilia Romero remembers vibrant Halloween and Day of the Dead traditions in Pilsen and Little Village, with crowded streets, food vendors, and cempasuchil marigolds on altars. ICE raids in and around Chicago since early September kept families home and muted celebrations that normally bring communities together for Halloween, All Saints Day and Dia de los Muertos. Illinois governor JB Pritzker requested a pause in enforcement for the Halloween weekend but federal operations continued. A teargas release in Old Irving Park canceled a Halloween parade, and aggressive ICE activity near Chute Middle School in Evanston alarmed neighbors and prevented normal festivities.

Read at www.theguardian.com