LULAC District VIII
Folklorico dancers perform during Houston’s Cinco de Mayo parade in 2018. (Photo from LULAC District VIII)
A Houston council of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) announced Friday that it canceled this year’s Cinco de Mayo parade due to “growing concerns surrounding [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] activity.”
In a news release posted on social media by a representative of LULAC District VIII, it said the parade committee and district leadership voted to cancel the 2026 parade out of an “abundance of caution.” The annual parade was originally scheduled to take place on the morning of Saturday, May 4, in downtown Houston.
“The safety of our children and their parents remains our highest priority,” the local LULAC council said in its statement. “LULAC District VIII is not willing to put any child, family member, volunteer, or participant at risk for a parade — no matter how meaningful or celebrated the tradition may be. While Cinco de Mayo is an important cultural celebration that honors heritage, pride, and community unity, no event outweighs the responsibility we have to protect our families.”
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The LULAC council said the cancellation applies to this year’s event only and that the organization looks forward to “bringing the parade back next year under conditions that allow our community to gather freely, safely and without fear.”
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“We understand the disappointment this may cause to participants, sponsors, schools, and community partners who have supported this event year after year,” LULAC District VIII said. “We share that disappointment. However, leadership requires making difficult decisions when circumstances demand it.”