Caravans of vehicles carrying flag-waving revelers clogged streets in several neighborhoods as well as downtown. The Department of Streets and Sanitation sent an armada of trucks to clear trash and remove graffiti Saturday morning, only to do it all over again Sunday, Tabares said.ĭowntown streets were closed after the city had vowed as recently as Thursday to keep them open. "It's just a moment to enjoy and look back of how we had a lot of hard times, and how hard we've come to get to this point," said Ace Gil, another Little Village resident.On the Southwest Side, businesses on a milelong stretch of Pulaski Road were tagged with “vile graffiti,” while motorists were drag racing, “doing doughnuts” and throwing bottles at police, said local Ald. This is our food," said Marvin Lopez, who lives in Little Village.Īt noon on Saturday, hundreds of thousands of people in Little Village will gather for the annual Mexican Independence Day Parade, which is the signature event.
"This is how we kind of want to show it off to other people like, hey, this is our culture. In Pilsen, it is the first time since before the pandemic, about three years, that they've been able to have a full-scale celebration. The event was billed as a family-friendly gathering, and an alternative to some of the impromptu downtown celebrations in recent years that have caused traffic gridlock. "It is amazing, especially when it brings back our heritage and where we come from, so we will be showing a little bit of our culture, folklore dances and a little bit of the history as well," said Sofia Fierro with the Mexican Cultural Committee. On Friday morning at Hernandez Middle School in Chicago's Gage Park neighborhood, families gathered for a vibrant event, celebrating not just the holiday, but also the start of Hispanic Heritage Month.Īt Benito Juarez, the party went until 10 p.m., and at 9 p.m., everyone gathered for the traditional "Grito de Independencia," remembering the battle cry and call to arms that would eventually lead to Mexican independence. It was hard-fought and won more than 200 years ago. It is one of multiple celebrations in the area commemorating Mexico's independence over Spain. People gathered at Benito Juarez Community Academy for an evening of food, live music and traditional dance. Officials said their plan does not include raising bridges, which, in the past, has been controversial. The streets will be closed intermittently throughout Friday night and early Saturday morning. OEMC said the Central Business District, from Division to 18th streets and from DuSable Lake Shore Drive to Halsted Street, is closed due to large car caravans.īy 8 p.m., snow plows and other heavy equipment was on the move, blocking downtown exits off the Kennedy and other expressways and restricting access to the Central Business District.
Revelers hoisted Mexico's flag as they brought traffic in some areas to a standstill, and fireworks came out of a car near South Michigan Avenue and East Ida B. When is Mexican Independence Day celebrated? Street closures were put in place due to large car caravans, OEMC said.ĬHICAGO (WLS) - Street closures were put in place downtown on Friday evening as Mexican Independence Day celebrations kicked off, the city said.
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