On Saturday, September 14, George J. West Park on Chalkstone Ave in Providence was transformed into a lively hub of color, food, and sound, despite clouds overhead and. Families and friends gathered with folding chairs, umbrellas, and children in tow. For many, the occasion was both a chance to commemorate Mexican Independence Day—which began the evening of September 15—and kick off Hispanic Heritage Month, which is celebrated from September 15 to October 15.
Even with clouds and the threat of rain, the event brimmed with cultural pride. A lineup of mariachi music and traditional baile folklórico drew applause, while children flocked to multiple bounce houses. Car enthusiasts admired the impressive vintage cars showcased by Chicanos Car Club RI. Nearby, horses paraded through the park in a lively show of horsemanship. Food stands were in steady demand, with local restaurants such as Orale Taqueria serving traditional Mexican cuisine.
While the festival boasted a seamless lineup, it was no easy feat to organize. In fact, the event is led by one community group, Comité México Unido (CMU), without any official event sponsors. CMU operates multiple cultural gatherings per year, including the popular Latino Summerfest at India Point Park. The President of CMU and lead event coordinator, Emma Villa, shared that the celebration comes together in roughly a month, but not without its challenges.
The foremost challenge is the finances, or “los gastos” [expenses]. Villa says that they manage expenses with the local businesses and eateries paying a seller’s fee and with all performers volunteering their time.
Without major sponsors, advertising is also nearly all word of mouth and through social media. One attendee commented, “A lot of people aren’t Latino, they’re neighbors or live near the park and decided to come out.” CMU largely advertised through their, or board members’, personal social media accounts. Between neighborhood friends and members of the local Mexican community, the event saw over one hundred attendees.
Still, challenges extended far beyond finances. Villa noted that this year’s attendance was significantly lower than last year’s inaugural festival. She attributes the decline to fear and cultural tension promoted by the Trump administration. “People are scared,” she said. Over the summer, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations were conducted in Providence, including one violation where police assisted ICE in arrests. For many undocumented or mixed-status families, the risk of attending a public event—even one centered on culture and celebration—feels too great.
That fear weighed heavily on organizers. The current administration’s broader policies toward immigration have sent ripples through communities across the country, and Rhode Island is no exception. The policies attack not only immigration status, but also Latino communities and culture as a whole.
Yet the decision to move forward with the festival, in spite of these anxieties, was deliberate. For CMU and its supporters, the event is both a cultural gathering and a form of resistance. “We’re here to show that our community is still present, still vibrant,” said Enrique Sanchez, another CMU board member and Rhode Island State Representative. “We want to show that we are not scared or intimidated.” Another attendee mentioned the importance of the event as “a family place that’s safe–somewhere you feel accepted.”
This community-wide message guides Villa and the CMU’s vision for the future of the event and organization. Villa’s future vision for the festival stretches beyond drawing bigger crowds or adding more performances. She aspires to cultivate the resources and community to extend the event from a celebration into a larger network of support for Latino families, especially those with undocumented or mixed documentation status. There is still work to be done, and the priority of the committee is finding consistent funding.
Villa’s favorite part of the event is, of course, la gente: the people who continue to show up to dance, sing, and eat in the downpour. Though dark clouds and rainy conditions encroached, a pocket of light remained. This was the second annual Mexican Independence Day Festival in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood, and this year, more than ever, it demonstrated the event’s commitment to joy and community amid restrictive measures imposed by the federal government on Latino communities across the country.
Julia Yakirevich is a high school senior and lifelong resident of Providence. She is a budding writer who recently authored her first creative collection.
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