Hispanic Heritage Parade and Festival cancelled due to safety concerns

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Savannah’s Hispanic Heritage parade and festival has been canceled amid recent ICE activity in the area.

This would have been its 4th annual celebration.

After speaking with the organizer of the event, WTOC found that the biggest reason for this change is safety.

Alfonso Ribot is the CEO and founder of the Metropolitan Savannah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which is the group that organizes this event.

In years past, this festival and parade has been one of Savannah’s biggest Hispanic heritage month celebrations, but this year, he says ICE activity made it so the event would have had significantly less attendees celebrating their culture.

The group is planning to host a breakfast this year instead.

Alfonso Ribot, organizer of Hispanic heritage parade and festival/CEO of Metropolitan Savannah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

“With this environment, not too many people want to come out and say ‘I am Hispanic’ as a matter of fact, I see people dress differently just so that they don’t look Hispanic...that’s sad,” said Ribot.

This isn’t just something happening in Savannah, Hispanic heritage month events have been canceled all across the country.

The decision comes on the heels of a massive ICE raid at the Hyundai megaplant site and joint operations with Chatham County Police earlier this summer.

Ribot says his biggest concern is how Chatham county officers determined who to stop.

“One of the big things that really hit me is the fact that it was profiling,” said Ribot.

Despite these concerns, he says they will continue to celebrate Hispanic culture in meaningful ways.

“We are resilient, we know that we need to celebrate and we’re going to celebrate regardless,” said Ribot.

Ribot says the importance is in the celebration, not how it comes together.

“As long as things get done, sometimes the way you do it, it’s not as important as the end result,” said Ribot.

For more info on the breakfast celebration, as well as a link to register for the event here.