News Summary
The Long Beach City Council has decided to cancel its annual Día de los Muertos parade and Arte y Ofrendas Festival, scheduled for November, due to community fears regarding potential immigration enforcement actions. Councilmember Mary Zendejas emphasized the need to address residents’ apprehensions. While other cities will hold celebrations, Long Beach’s decision reflects ongoing challenges surrounding immigration issues affecting Latino communities. Local businesses are concerned about the economic impact of the cancellation, but the city aims to preserve funding for future events.
Long Beach has canceled its annual Día de los Muertos parade, originally scheduled for early November 2025, due to concerns regarding immigration enforcement operations in the region. City officials made the announcement, stating the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution” to address apprehensions voiced by community members about their participation in public events amid fears of federal actions.
Long Beach Councilmember Mary Zendejas requested the cancellation, underscoring the seriousness of the concerns associated with federal law enforcement activities. While there is no known federal enforcement activity targeting the parade specifically, the cancellation is intended to alleviate anxiety among residents who may feel threatened by sudden immigration actions. Alongside the parade, the Arte y Ofrendas Festival, usually held in conjunction, has also been called off this year. This represents a significant cultural loss for the community.
The move to cancel follows a recent series of federal immigration operations in Long Beach, which have included raids that led to multiple detentions. Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson has condemned these immigration raids, labeling them as “cruel, discriminatory, and unacceptable.” The Mayor reaffirmed the city’s commitment to supporting its diverse community and ensuring that residents feel safe participating in community life.
Despite the cancellation of the Día de los Muertos events, the city has decided to roll over the unused funds allocated for the parade into next year’s budget, preserving $100,000 for a potential 2026 parade. This financial decision aims to uphold the tradition for the future, ensuring the community can reclaim its celebrations when conditions are favorable.
The cancellation is raising alarms among local business owners who depend on the influx of visitors during the parade and the festival, events that typically draw large crowds and stimulate economic activity. The parade is not just a cultural event; it is also a vital economic driver for the local businesses in Long Beach.
While Long Beach has chosen to cancel its celebrations, other cities are proceeding with their events. The Mexican Independence Day parade in East L.A. and Santa Ana’s Fiestas Patrias festival are both set to take place as scheduled. These contrasting decisions reflect the different responding strategies within communities in light of immigration concerns.
Community reactions to the cancellation are mixed, with many expressing sadness over the lost opportunity to honor Día de los Muertos traditions. There remains an ongoing fear among many residents regarding potential immigration enforcement actions specifically targeting Latino individuals. In response to these concerns, the Long Beach City Council has allocated an additional $600,000 to the Long Beach Justice Fund, which aims to provide legal representation for residents facing immigration actions. This fund seeks to ensure that residents have access to necessary resources to protect their rights and uphold due process protections.
The decision to cancel the Día de los Muertos parade and festival in Long Beach illustrates the ongoing complexities and fears surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States, particularly affecting Latino communities. As cities navigate these challenges, the balance between cultural celebration and community safety remains a significant concern.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Long Beach Cancels Parade
- Wikipedia: Día de los Muertos
- ABC7: Long Beach Cancels Dia de los Muertos Parade
- Google Search: Long Beach Dia de los Muertos Parade
- Boyle Heights Beat: Guide to Dia de los Muertos Events
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Día de los Muertos
- NBC Los Angeles: Long Beach Cancels Parade
- Time Out: Long Beach Cancels Dia de los Muertos Parade
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
