For 40-year-old Cecilia Romero, the days before and after Halloween are not just any other holiday.
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.
“Clearly, it’s because of ICE,” Romero said.
This year, amid ICE enforcement and raids, the celebrations were a lot more muted.
Prior to Pritzker’s plea to let families celebrate Halloween, federal agents released pepper spray on 25 October in Old Irving Park in an incident that led to the cancellation of a Halloween parade.
For Cecilia Romero, 40, the days leading up to and following Halloween are not like any other holiday. In addition to being a link to her own childhood, it’s the time of year when she can take her children trick-or-treating in the neighborhood where she grew up.
On November 1st and 2nd, she recalls the streets being packed with families and kids, while street vendors sold food and cempasúchil, which are marigolds that loved ones place on altars for the Day of the Dead, also known as Día de los Muertos.
However, due to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that have been taking place in and around Chicago since early September, things are drastically different this year.
Romero stated, “It’s obviously because of ICE.”. She continued by mentioning that Illinois Governor JB Pritzker had tried in vain to get the Trump administration to suspend immigration enforcement activities for the Halloween weekend, which started on Friday: “I think people are just scared.”. On a day when children should be having fun, it’s just a little sad that they can’t. “”.
Halloween, All Saints Day on November 1st, and Día de los Muertos all work together to unite the community in the Chicago neighborhoods of Pilsen and Little Village in a time of celebration, mourning, and prayer. The festivities were much more subdued this year due to ICE enforcement and raids. In previous years, the streets of Little Village’s 26th Street and Pilsen’s 18th Street would always be crowded. This time, when the Halloween weekend started on Friday, those same hallways were considerably more deserted for hours at a time.
Before Pritzker pleaded for families to be allowed to celebrate Halloween, a Halloween parade was canceled in Old Irving Park on October 25 after federal agents sprayed pepper spray. Residents in Evanston claim that ICE operations near Chute Middle School went awry on Friday. According to NBC 5 Chicago, federal agents detained three US citizens on charges of “violence against law enforcement” and used pepper spray.
The 49-year-old Marco DeSantiago was raised on Chicago’s South Side, but for the past 12 years, he has been taking his children to Pilsen for Halloween. He added that it was remarkable how the celebration’s tone had changed this time.
DeSantiago remarked, “I think the big difference this year is you could just feel [the] sadness.”. We all experience it, and I could see it in people’s faces. It’s a somberness. It isn’t a happy occasion.
“I believe that everyone is feeling quite depressed and angry, but you’re kind of doing it to keep it going for the kids. “.”.
According to him, in previous years, there were more street vendors, more businesses and people welcoming trick-or-treaters, and a more joyous and festive atmosphere.
“It’s definitely a different feeling,” he added, adding that it felt more like a solemn occasion. “”.
The customary ornate altars with pictures of departed loved ones were on display at an annual Día de los Muertos celebration held at the local soccer fields owned by the Catholic church and school St. Procopius. Votive candles, decorated skulls, numerous images of the Virgin Mary, and their favorite snacks and possessions, such as rosaries, bags, or even Pond’s face cream, were all present in the tributes. In addition, the famous orange marigolds were sometimes used in place of plastic ones.
Those who attended, however, could see that attendance was lower than normal.
“From the afternoon until the end, it would be packed, like there would be people coming in and out, and so you can definitely see a change or a shift – but I don’t think that has to do with the [lack of] motivation or the love for the holiday,” said 27-year-old Isabel Hernández, who was seated next to a beautiful altar for her grandmother, Lorenza Hernández. “I believe that it’s more a result of the current fear of what’s happening in the country and in the city. “”.
Hernández feels especially bad for those who may be grieving a recent loss but may not feel safe or at ease enough to rejoice with others or follow the customs because of the ICE raids.
She said, “I don’t think the grief will ever go away, but I think you just have to heal with time … or be able to control it some more.”. “I can’t even begin to imagine what it must be like for people who have recently lost a loved one to watch others celebrate and then be unable to join in on the festivities themselves. That seems very difficult to me. “”.
Hernández’s mother, Cecilia, stated that despite the prevailing melancholy, it was crucial for her and her family to continue their customary festivities.
“One of the questions was like, ‘Should we have this event take place?’” Cecilia, 52, said. Personally, I thought, ‘Yes, let’s have it,’ because we don’t want that to be taken away from us by what’s going on with ICE. “”.
Romero simply wants to carry on with her celebrations as she always did. “I hope that ICE will depart,” she stated. “They should not be here. They are not necessary here. You see, without them, our city—and, I believe, our nation—has been doing pretty well. “.”.
