Indy Latinos Express Concerns over Cancellation of La Plaza's FIESTA Indianapolis Event

INDIANAPOLIS — Indy's premier Hispanic Heritage Month event, FIESTA Indianapolis, is canceled after over 40 years due to changes made "out of an abundance of caution and a deep commitment to the well-being for the community" by La Plaza, the oldest and largest Latino nonprofit organization in Indiana.

Longtime attendee Carlota Holder, a proud Panamanian-American, expressed her disappointment and concern: "It makes me really sad and upset that we used to have these celebrations that we could be authentically ourselves and mingle with other people of our identity. That's being taken away."

Holder has attended FIESTA Indianapolis since she was a little girl and sees the cancellation as a reflection of the fear and uncertainty surrounding immigration enforcement in the state.

"For there to be so much fear for this event to be canceled now, it's just, I think it makes it more real about the events that are happening," Holder said.

Principal Stephanie Campos, who serves predominantly Latino, multilingual learners at a charter school on Indy's west side, also shares concerns: "We saw a significant drop in attendance at our school. We've always had 95% attendance or higher every single day, and we had dropped to 43%."

Campos notes that increased anti-immigrant rhetoric has affected her students' attendance and safety: "We have a safety team. The safety team has a door, we have a radio…We are just being very vigilant. If you're not identified as a parent or an organization that we partner with. I'm sorry, this event is closed for you."

DJ Julio Rolon, also known as "DJ Rican," who works at popular nightclubs like Estereo, shares his concerns about the impact of increased immigration enforcement on nightlife: "There's been more officers out, ICE agents out, creating fear of instead of going to enjoy a drink and have a good time, now it's like 'do I wanna risk a chance of being [kicked] out of here?'"

Rolon hopes that the celebration can resume next year: "I hope it's only this setback today and next year it can come back."

La Plaza stated that despite the cancellation, it remains committed to celebrating Hispanic Heritage in Central Indiana through partnerships with Univision during Hispanic Heritage Month.