Street Closures in Downtown Chicago for Mexican Independence Day Celebrations Starting on Friday

Mexican Independence Day Celebrations Cause Downtown Street Closures

CHICAGO (WLS) — Downtown Chicago experienced street closures on Friday evening as Mexican Independence Day celebrations kicked off, according to city officials. Revelers proudly waved Mexico’s flag, bringing traffic to a standstill in some areas. Fireworks were even set off from a car near South Michigan Avenue and East Ida B. Wells Drive.

The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) stated that the Central Business District from Division to 18th streets and from DuSable Lake Shore Drive to Hasted Street was closed due to large car caravans. By 8 p.m., snow plows and heavy equipment were deployed, blocking downtown exits off the Kennedy and other expressways, restricting access to the Central Business District. These street closures will continue intermittently throughout Friday night and early Saturday morning. Notably, the city’s plan this year does not include raising bridges, a practice that has sparked controversy in the past.

While many revelers expressed frustration with the closures, others remained undeterred. Residents and employees, however, still have access to downtown through specific checkpoints. These access points include North Halsted and West Division, North Halsted and West Chicago, North Halsted and West Washington, North Halsted and West Madison, South Halsted and South Jackson, West Roosevelt and South Union, 18th Street and South State, 18th Street and South Michigan, 18th Street and South Indiana, and West Division and North LaSalle. Chicago police will not require residents to produce a driver’s license or access pass at these checkpoints.

City officials have urged celebrants to act responsibly and allow emergency vehicles to pass through their celebrations if their lights and sirens are activated. The consul general of Mexico in Chicago, Reyna Torres Mendivil, emphasized that any disturbances in the downtown area during the celebrations will be sanctioned by the authorities.

Earlier on Friday, people celebrating Mexican Independence Day in Chicago were fortunate to have excellent weather. At Benito Juarez Community Academy, locals gathered for an evening of food, live music, and traditional dance. This event was one of many taking place in the area to commemorate Mexico’s independence from Spain, which was won over 200 years ago after a hard-fought battle.

In addition to the celebration of Mexican Independence Day, the event at Hernandez Middle School in Chicago’s Gage Park neighborhood also marked the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. The festivities continued at Benito Juarez until 10 p.m., with the traditional “Grito de Independencia” taking place at 9 p.m. This ceremony remembers the battle cry and call to arms that led to Mexican independence.

Marvin Lopez, a resident of Little Village, expressed his excitement about showcasing Mexican culture at these events: “This is how we kind of want to show it off to other people like, hey, this is our culture. This is our place. This is our language. This is our food.”

This year’s celebrations in Pilsen marked a significant milestone, as it was the first full-scale celebration since before the pandemic, approximately three years ago. The annual Mexican Independence Day Parade, the signature event, will take place in Little Village on Saturday, attracting hundreds of thousands of people.

Ace Gil, another resident of Little Village, emphasized the importance of reflecting on the journey that led to this point: “It’s just a moment to enjoy and look back at how we had a lot of hard times and how hard we’ve come to get to this point.”

As the celebrations continue, city officials are working to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants, while minimizing disruptions to downtown traffic.

Original Story at abc7chicago.com – 2023-09-16 03:00:00