San Pedro’s annual Dia de los Muertos festivities are set to go on this weekend, despite concerns about federal immigration agents being present.
The Day of the Day event, a culturally significant holiday for many Latino people, will take place from 3 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, in downtown San Pedro.
Admission is free.
Even with the political and cultural climate, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducting operations throughout Southern California, sponsors decided to press ahead with the popular outdoor event, which is expected to bring some 50 street vendors, a 20-foot tall Catrina sculpture, live music and dancing to San Pedro’s core downtown district on Sixth, Seventh and Mesa streets. A beer garden will be set up on Mesa and children’s activities will be staged on the former courthouse property on Sixth and Mesa.
“While we must remain vigilant and look out for one another,” Los Angeles Councilmember TIm McOsker said in a statement, “we cannot allow the unconstitutional and chaotic actions of the federal government to dampen our local spirit or our ability to come together as a community to celebrate such an important holiday.”
ICE began ramping up its operations in Los Angeles County in early June, arresting people at Home Depots, car washes and other places around the region, from Paramount to Pasadena. Earlier this month, ICE conducted multiple operations in San Pedro — arresting several people.
The increased activity — which has also spread to other major population centers nationwide, such as Chicago — has happened at the behest of President Donald Trump.
The Trump administration has repeatedly defended the operations, saying they are necessary to make the nation safe, characterizing the people ICE arrests as dangerous criminals.
But immigration advocates and officials across Los Angeles County have decried such characterizations, saying ICE is detaining hard-working members of the community — and, in some cases, U.S. citizens.
ICE’s increased presence in the region also resulted in weeks of protests, while community groups have sought to patrol neighborhoods to warn people when federal agents are present.
Now, as October is about to turn to November, there are some concerns about ICE targeting Dia de los Muertos celebrations. Dia de los Muertos is an annual celebration, particularly for people in Mexico and Central America, and for many Latinos in the United States, to honor and commemorate the lives of the dead and welcome the return of their spirits. The holiday is celebrated each year from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.
But this year, some event organizers have decided not to go forward with the celebrations. Long Beach, for example, canceled its annual Day of the Dead parade this year amid concerns about ICE raids.
The event was canceled “out of an abundance of caution” related to community fears about possible federal immigration raids, officials said in September.
“We’re taking every step to protect and defend our residents,” Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said in September. “Unfortunately, in this case, it means not moving forward with the Dia de los Muertos Parade this year.”
Farmers markets and other public events in the area, meanwhile, are also thought to be attractions that can draw federal agents — and several have been canceled because of such concerns.
As for San Pedro’s Dia de los Muertos celebration, this will be the 14th annual festival. It normally draws several thousand visitors from throughout the region, many in event-themed costumes. With ongoing concerns about ICE, however, this year’s attendance could be impacted.
McOsker’s office has requested additional security for the event.
Along with live entertainment, the event will feature food booths, altar displays, food trucks, a Catrina costume contest and artisan crafts.
Dia de los muertos events are also scheduled to take place on Nov. 1 in Wilmington and Harbor City, which, like San Pedro, is in McOsker’s 15th Council District.