'Voices Without Fear' festival to be held after Mexican Independence Day Parade canceled - MarketAlert – Real-Time Market & Crypto News, Analysis & Alerts

Nina Baker

Following the cancellation of the Mexican Independence Day Parade & Fiesta in Moline, Hispanic leaders in the Quad-Cities have rallied to establish a new festival on the same day that honors Mexican and Mexican-American heritage, community organizer Graciela Macias announced in a press release Friday.

The new festival is called Voces Sin Miedo – El Griot de Todos, or “Voices Without Fear – The Cry of All,” and will take place 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, in downtown East Moline.

The event will celebrate Mexican Independence Day with live music, cultural performances, food vendors and activities for all ages, according to the press release.

The news comes after Moline-based LULAC Council 5285 announced the cancellation of the Mexican Independence Day Parade & Fiesta, on Wednesday, Aug. 13. According to LULAC, festival organizers encountered multiple unexpected issues while planning the celebration.

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These problems included construction in downtown East Moline that prevented the use of Runner’s Park, difficulty getting event insurance and community concern about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in public spaces.

The Mexican Independence Day Parade & Fiesta began 15 years ago through the efforts of co-founders Abel and Juanita Zertuche.

In the Friday press releases, Macias said she recognized the value of preserving tradition and cultural pride, and sought to ensure the celebration continued.

“I am proud of my community and my deep Hispanic roots. This festival is more than just a party, it’s a celebration of our history, our traditions, and our unity,” Macias said in the press release. “We are doing a disservice to the people if we don’t utilize our voices when needed. We will honor the legacy started by Abel and Juanita while ensuring the voices of our community are heard — without fear.”

More information can be found through contacting Macias at 815-213-0233.

Crowds celebrate Mexican Independence Day or El Grito de Dolores with a parade, food, music and Mexican souvenirs in East Moline, Illinois Sunday September 29, 2013. Abel Zertuche and his wife Juanita, of East Moline, organized the event 5 years ago. Abel remembers marching in a parade as a schoolboy growing up in Mexico, “Almost every school in the city was part of it.” he said, “The souvenirs, food, and music bring back memories.” Luis Cortes, of Davenport, Iowa came to the parade by accident, he was eating lunch with family members at a restaurant along the route and decided to join the gathering crowd.

Jeff Cook