Something like 14,000 Mexican-Americans were looking forward to celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Philadelphia, but fear of raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has forced them to cancel. The Green Party of Philadelphia's Migration is a Human Right Working Group condemns this terrorism by federal agents.

Green Party of Pennsylvania
www.gpofpa.org

FOR RELEASE
Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Media Contact 
Chris Robinson, [email protected]

Officially known as El Carnaval de Puebla en Philadelphia -- aka Cinco de Mayo -- the celebration commemorates the victory of Mexico's army over invading French forces in 1862. It had become a jubilee of Mexican culture, cuisine and music, until federal forces began this year to threaten Mexican-American workers with deportation.

Jon Lessner, a Green Party member from Manayunk, said, "The cancellation of South Philly's Carnaval de Puebla is disheartening. Due to the community's fear of ICE attacks, the organizers cancelled it to protect them. I agree with the decision as it could have caused harm to many families, but we should not be in this situation. Mexicans deserve to celebrate their heritage. To lose a cultural celebration, not just in Philly but also in Chicago, is unjust. It was to be a day of celebration which everyone could participate in. So it's a loss for the city as a whole. I am making it a personal goal to help the immigrant community wherever possible."

Beverly Rolfsmeyer, a Green Party member from Roxborough, said, "After I graduated from college, I lived in Mexico for two years, on the border in Matamoros (long story). While there, I taught in a Mexican school, belonged to a Mexican folkloric dance group, crossed the border to write for a local Brownsville newspaper, and lived with a Mexican family. Each state in Mexico has its own music, dance, and costume. Who knew such a small country could have such a rich and varied culture? I miss and love Mexican culture, and the Mexican people. To celebrate Cinco de Mayo here in Philadelphia is a taste of that rich culture. And now -- and now? We can't! We can't because of a climate of fear. What is happening to my country?"

Joe James, a Green Party member from West Philadelphia, said, "Immigrants give so much richness to the fabric of our society. We are a patchwork of people bound by our humanity and love that connects us all. I will not lose my connection with them -- not for ICE, nor for any unethical laws this country imposes."

For information about the next meeting of the Green Party Migration is a Human Right Working Group please contact Beverly Rolfsmeyer, Green Party City Committee at [email protected]. The Green Party of Philadelphia (GPOP, www.gpop.org) is an independent political party which stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. GPOP candidates promote public policy based on the Green Party's Four Pillars: grassroots democracy, nonviolence, ecological wisdom, and social justice/equal opportunity.

For more information, please see:

"Green Party Welcomes Immigrants," Green Party of Philadelphia, news release, April 9, 2025
https://www.gpofpa.org/forms/shares/new?page_id=10280

"Abolish ICE" by Howie Hawkins, statement by the Green Party Candidate for Governor of New York, June 27, 2018
https://www.gp.org/_abolish_ice