By Amancai Biraben

Los Angeles and its surrounding cities have begun to cancel Independence Day events in the wake of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that led to the detention of Angelenos during protests against federal immigration enforcement. Cancelled events include the Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Summer Block Party in downtown Los Angeles, the City of Cudahy’s July 4th celebration, and all scheduled events through July 10 in Bell Gardens.

“Out of an abundance of caution regarding concerns for resident safety over federal immigration enforcement activities, the City of Bell Gardens will be canceling the scheduled events,” the city’s administrators announced on Instagram.

The population of Bell Gardens is about 96% Latino, and Cudahy’s is about 98%, according to the Census Bureau. Cudahy was embroiled in controversy this week when Vice Mayor Cynthia Gonzalez seemed to call upon street gang members to fight the ICE raids that targeted individuals suspected of illegal immigration.

“I wanna know where all the cholos are at in Los Angeles,18th Street, Florencia,” Gonzalez said in a TikTok video that’s since been deleted. “You guys tag everything up, claiming hood. And now that your hood’s being invaded by the biggest gang, there ain’t a peep out of you.”

Cudahy officials canceled their 4th of July celebration following Gonzalez’s remarks, saying that her opinions did not represent the views or official position of the City of Cudahy. Her comments prompted the Los Angeles Police Protective League — the union that represents police in L.A. — to call for Gonzalez to resign.

Los Angeles officials canceled the city’s downtown July 4th celebration at Gloria Molina Grand Park and has yet to set a new date.

“We are disappointed to postpone what would have been the largest free Fourth of July celebration on the West Coast,” said Gloria Molina Grand Park Director Robert Gonzalez. “Yet the safety of our guests, artists, staff and volunteers will always be our number one priority.”

The aftermath of ICE arrests has left some establishments frequented by Latino residents vacant. And from Home Depot parking lots and auto body repair shops, to urgent care clinics and sidewalk lunch purveyors, businesses have seen a drop in Latino customers and workers.

Recurring ICE arrests drew crowds of protesters to downtown Los Angeles, where mostly peaceful demonstrations showed solidarity for L.A.’s immigrant-rich history. The Los Angeles City Council approved a $5 million loan from the city’s reserve fund to cover overtime pay for LAPD officers during the protests.

Ahilan Arulanantham, co-director of the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at the UCLA School of Law, says the cancelations of 4th of July events are understandable.

“They underscore the impact created by ICE’s tactic of detaining people without suspicion, even though that tactic is plainly unlawful under their own regulations, the Fourth Amendment, and governing precedent interpreting ICE authority in this context,” Arulanantham said.

Pablo Alvarado, co-director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, has participated in recent peaceful demonstrations and hopes they can continue.

“Although I am grateful that some municipalities are standing up and saying they’re going to protect their residents, I also think that we have to overcome the fear,” Alvarado said. “People have to keep living their lives, people have to keep celebrating their birthdays, people have to still come together in community.”