Eastside Santa Barbara holiday parade canceled due to concerns of ongoing ICE raids

The vibrant lines of folklorico dancers, norteo bands, and lowrider enthusiasts that usually animate the Milpas Street Holiday Parade in Santa Barbaras Eastside will not appear this year. Organizers have canceled the decades-old tradition, citing fears that participation could put attendees at risk due to ongoing immigration enforcement.

"Even though ICE raids may not dominate the news as before, the threat to Latino familiesdocumented or undocumentedremains significant," said the Santa Barbara Eastside Society, the parade's organizing group. "The presence of immigration authorities in our area, the fear it generates, and the uncertainty families face are very real and immediate."

Traditionally scheduled for December 13, the parade has been a cornerstone event celebrating the culture of the largely Latino Eastside community. However, heightened anti-immigrant rhetoric and enforcement in recent years have left many families wary. Organizers noted that numerous long-time participants expressed feeling unsafe attending public gatherings due to these fears.

Jacqueline Inda, director of the Restorative Justice Education Center at La Casa de La Raza, which typically takes part in the parade, highlighted the ongoing impact of immigration raids. "Many people are staying home because they fear being seen, reported, or identified at culturally Latino events they would usually attend without hesitation," she said, noting the continuing trauma from raids earlier this year.

Tere Jurado, the parade director, explained that the decision came after weeks of consulting with families, volunteers, community leaders, and immigrant rights advocates to understand the experiences and concerns of the Eastside community.

Earlier in October, Santa Barbaras Museum of Contemporary Art also canceled its Da de los Muertos parade for similar reasons, reflecting the broader climate of caution within local immigrant communities.

Author: Zoe Harrison