CHICAGO — Cinco de Mayo celebrations on the city’s West Side were interrupted by gang violence in the area near the parade route.
According to organizers, the parade was set to step off at noon on Sunday near Cermak Road and Damen Avenue in Heart of Chicago, traveling along Cermak Rd. until it reached Marshall Boulevard in Little Village.
As spectators and participants eagerly waited for the start of the parade, Chicago Police Department officers were responding to disturbances along the route, including reports of shots fired, late Sunday morning.
Chicago police said, a joint decision between CPD’s 10th District, elected officials, and parade organizers was made, out of an abundance of caution, and to protect the safety of all attending the parade, citing gang violence in the area.
A line of parade floats and participants were routed out of the area for their safety, according to police, who doubled down on the fact the official parade itself, did not happen.
Despite this, 25th Ward Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez and his office said, the parade did go forth, however, that it took a different route.
“In response to the alleged cancellation of the Cinco de Mayo parade in the 25th Ward, we want to clarify that the event was not canceled, but relocated, and was carried out as planned with the active participation of the community,” the alderman’s office wrote to WGN-TV.
According to Sigcho-Lopez, the parade “took place smoothly,” starting on Damen Ave. and continuing along Blue Island until it finished at Blue Island and Washtenaw Avenue.
“We thank all the residents who came together to celebrate this important cultural and community occasion,” Sigcho-Lopez’s office wrote.
As WGN-TV was on scene near Cermak Rd. and Rockwell Street, shortly after 12:30 p.m., dozens of officers were still working to disperse massive crowds that were moving throughout the area. On each side of Cermak Rd., just west of Rockwell St., groups could be observed flashing what appeared to be gang signs and shouting at officers.
At one point, a large group scattered down Rockwell St. and across the parking lot of a supermarket at that intersection. Officers lined the intersections of several streets, working to keep the crowds from returning.
Multiple people were taken into custody. Police sources said several guns were recovered and several objects were thrown at officers.
Throughout the morning and afternoon Sunday, officers responded to a handful of ShotSpotter alerts, sources said. There were also shots fired in the area as officers were on scene working to disperse crowds.
Several area business owners did not want to speak out publicly due to fear for their safety, but said they are fed up with the violence in the area. WGN-TV saw a restaurant shuttering its doors for the day, with staff citing concerns over the violence.
Area residents echoed similar concerns.
“A lot of families, a lot of kids, kids love parades,” said Jesse Portillo. “I hate to see it happen. It really bothers me and it bothers everyone.”
Portillo left in the morning and came back around the time the parade would have been getting underway. He was disappointed to hear of what happened and said he is concerned about what he feels is increasing violence in the area where he has lived for more than 40 years.
“It started out as a really nice neighborhood, lots of friendly people, and eventually it started getting worse with the gangs and the drugs and things like that,” said Portillo. “People are afraid to come into the neighborhood, and people are moving out, but this is home.”
José Bernal, who said he has worked to initiate change in the community for years, said he planned to watch the parade.
“Then just chaos just happens, you know. There’s no respect,” said Bernal.
Bernal hopes to see community stakeholders, the mayor’s office, and other elected officials work together with police to help keep the area safe.
“They all have to get united here and stop all this violence, you know. Other than the gangs that are killing each other, you have all these people committing these crimes,” said Bernal.
“I hope they step up the police presence,” said Portillo. “We are concerned and I know the police are doing their best.”
Organizers of the parade, which had been canceled several times in years past due to unforeseen reasons, expressed their excitement ahead of the start of the parade.
Following the parade, a celebration featuring entertainment and music was scheduled to take place near South Rockwell Street and West 26th Street.
“We continue to closely monitor the situation and collaborate closely with the police district to ensure the safety of all residents and assistants,” said the alderman’s office.