Latest news with #IndependenceDayCelebration
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cities Are Canceling Fourth Of July Events Over Immigration Raid Fears
Multiple cities in Southern California have canceled or postponed Fourth of July celebrations over fears that ICE could target large public gatherings. Canceled or postponed events have been reported in cities including Los Angeles, Huntington Park, Cudahy, Bell Gardens and Whittier after local officials said residents raised concerns. According to The New York Times, about 2,000 immigrants in the Los Angeles area have been arrested since the beginning of June, when a series of immigration raids sparked protests and drew a heavy law enforcement response and military deployment. Since then, arrests have been reported at taco trucks, worksites and even immigration court — prompting some Latino residents to avoid going out in public, whether they have legal status or not. Huntington Park, California, has put a 30-day pause on summer events because of 'growing disruptions' by ICE activity, according to a reported city statement. 'Reports of unmarked vehicles and unidentified federal agents have created widespread anxiety, particularly among immigrant and mixed-status families,' the statement reads. 'Many residents have expressed fear and uncertainty, leading them to remain indoors, refrain from work, and withdraw from daily public life. Our priority is and will continue to be the safety and peace of mind of our community.' The City of Cudahy announced on social media that its Independence Day Celebration will be postponed 'due to recent events and concerns regarding the safety of our residents.' The announcement comes after the city's vice mayor posted a now-deleted TikTok calling on gang members to defend their territory amid ICE raids. She said later that the FBI visited her home. The city of Bell Gardens announced on Instagram that 'out of an abundance of caution regarding concerns for resident safety over federal immigration enforcement activities,' the city was canceling events between last week and July 10. Fourth of July events in the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Boyle Heights, El Sereno, Lincoln Heights and northeast Los Angeles have been postponed to August due to immigration raids, Councilmember Ysabel Jurado's office announced. Jurado, who represents District 14, has spoken out against the ICE raids on social media. Gloria Molina Grand Park in Downtown Los Angeles announced on its website that because of 'recent events affecting a portion of Downtown L.A. and the ongoing circumstances impacting the region,' its summer block party would be postponed until later in the summer. The mayor of the city of Whittier, a city in Los Angeles County, said in a news release that the city is canceling its Fourth of July Freedom Walk after residents expressed their concerns. 'While celebrating our nation's founding is very important to me and to Whittier residents, my colleagues and I also want to be sensitive to the recent feedback we've received from some community members asking that we pause this year's Freedom Walk event,' Mayor Joe Vinatieri said in a news release. It's unclear what the feedback was. Reps from the city did not respond to a request for comment. The ICE raids have left fear and anxiety in many Latinos living in the U.S. Immigrants — documented and undocumented — have said they don't leave their homes because they are afraid of getting swept up in a raid. Hector Mata, a 22-year-old U.S. citizen, told The New York Times that he avoids taking the bus. 'I'm brown and that's all they need,' Mata said about federal agents. Huntington Park Mayor Arturo Flores has been outspoken against the ICE raids, calling them a 'campaign of domestic terror.' 'It is a campaign of domestic terror that is being imposed on our residents on a daily basis,' Flores said, according to the Guardian. 'It is a level of psychological warfare that I've only seen in theaters of war. It's terrifying seeing it being displayed here in my city.' Trump Allies Want DOJ To Investigate CNN, Rising App That Tracks ICE Movements Canadian Officials, Family Seek Answers After U.S. Resident Dies In ICE Custody Democrats Want To Ban Masked ICE Agents
Hindustan Times
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
ICE raids impact Fourth of July celebrations in Southern California as multiple events canceled
Multiple regions in Southern California have canceled their July 4 festivities in light of increasing immigration raids in the neighborhood by federal authorities. This change is mainly visible in culturally rich communities of the region. Here's a look at some of the Fourth of July events in SoCal that have been canceled or postponed: Multiple Fourth of July events in SoCal have been canceled or postponed due to intensified immigration raids As per the event's official website, the summer event has been postponed 'in light of recent events affecting a portion of Downtown LA'. 'We are committed to bringing our community together for this beloved summer celebration and are actively working to reschedule the event. We thank you for your patience and will announce the new date for Gloria Molina Grand Park's Summer Block Party in the coming weeks,' the website further added. The party was initially scheduled for 4 PM to 9:30 PM local time this Friday (July 4). A majoritarian Hispanic settlement, officials in Cudahy announced that they would be 'postponing the Independence Day Celebration on July 3rd, 2025, due to safety concerns'. However, city parks will remain open, and regular programming will continue as scheduled. Bell Gardens The community of Bell Gardens, located on the outskirts of Cudahy, has canceled a concert and two movie screenings 'out of an abundance of caution regarding concerns for resident safety over federal immigration enforcement activities.' Events scheduled to happen between June 24 and July 10 now stand canceled as part of this measure. Other programming, such as summer day camp, and sports will continue as scheduled. Huntington Park Although no reason was provided for the same, Huntington Park's July 3 celebration now stands canceled. El Sereno Another predominantly Hispanic community, El Sereno, has called off its July 4 celebration which included an annual parade. "Our participation is usually robust with over 1,200 people marching in the parade. The people who participate in the parade are some of the most patriotic people you would meet. They believe in the promise of this land, of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,' noted the El Sereno Bicentennial Committee to ABC7 Los Angeles. 'This year we will have to cancel our celebrations. We stand with our community. The safety of our participants, spectators, and volunteers is at the forefront.' LA City Council District 14 The LA City Council District 14, a primarily Hispanic region in East LA, has now canceled or postponed all its July 4 festivities as revealed to the Boyle Heights Beats by a spokesperson for Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado. 'I have family members who are being affected by this, and I have other friends that I know who are being affected by these injustices right now. So I get why people are refraining [from celebrating]. I believe it's important to voice our opinions,' said East Los Angeles resident Jordan Escobar to KTLA 5. The Rose Bowl in Pasadena will still have its annual public event as part of July 4 festivities although they will be switching fireworks for drones instead. By Stuti Gupta
