'It wasn't safe for our community,' Hispanic Heritage Month event canceled over fear of ICE raids

SOUTH BEND, Ind.— Radio Sabor Latino, 93.5 FM in South Bend, has hosted a Mexican and Central American Independence Day celebration every year for 23 years, except for a 2-year pandemic hiatus.

But the parking lot outside the Marycrest Building on Western Avenue will be empty this year.

Leaders at Sabor Latino decided that, in today's political climate, it wasn't safe to hold such an event. The Latino community is targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement under President Trump's second administration, and they said they didn't want to put a target on the back of the community they serve.

"Every year [the event] gets bigger, because the Latino community has been growing in South Bend," said Felix Marquez, president of the board of directors for Sabor Latino.

This year's annual Mexican and Central American Independence Day festival has been canceled.

"We, as an organization, decided that it wasn’t safe for our community," he said.

Not safe, because of President Trump's immigration crackdown across the country.

"What we are seeing with what’s happening is that ICE doesn’t care whether you’re here legally or not; they base it on the color of your skin. They base it on your last name," Marquez said. "We didn’t want to have people at one location and have a bad soul or a bad person mobilize and say, ‘Hey, there’s a whole bunch of Latinos or Hispanics,' and then have them have to worry about that."

The event is marked by food, music, and dancing, and the Mexican traditional battle cry, the "Grito," done by South Bend's mayor each year, marking Mexican Independence Day.

“It’s to keep our tradition and our culture alive,” Marquez said.

The annual celebration is being replaced with a private event.

Despite the public festival's cancellation, Marquez told ABC57's Dulce Carrillo they are still a resource for the community. She asked what advice he would have for those who are afraid in these uncertain times.

“No se sientan solos. No están solos. Nosotros estamos aquí como organización,” he said. “Sepas sus derechos, informase.” (Translation: “Don’t feel like you are alone. You’re not alone. We are here for you as an organization. Know your rights, inform yourself.”)

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Other events from other organizations in Michiana are still moving forward for Hispanic Heritage Month, starting Monday, Sept. 15.