Organizers cite safety, vow to continue celebrating Hispanic culture
By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
DECATUR, Ala. — The annual Día De Los Muertos Festival in Decatur has been canceled, with organizers citing community safety concerns amid heightened immigration enforcement in north Alabama.
The event, which would have marked its fourth year, was scheduled for November 2 in downtown Decatur. In a statement posted to Facebook, festival organizers said the decision followed recent arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) near a poultry plant in Russellville.
“Our top priority remains the well-being of our community, attendees, and friends,” the committee said.
Festival chairman Jesse Gonzalez called the cancellation disappointing but said organizers plan to continue celebrating Hispanic culture through other events.
“This milestone will allow us to expand our mission of celebrating and sharing culture in ways that unite our community,” Gonzalez said.
Known as Day of the Dead, Día De Los Muertos is a traditional Mexican holiday that honors deceased loved ones through music, food, and colorful altars decorated with marigolds and candles.
Organizers said Decatur will continue hosting other events including Cinco de Mayo, Día del Grito, and Posada de Navidad.
“This pause will allow the committee to build an even stronger foundation so that our next celebration will be bigger, more inclusive, and more vibrant than ever,” said Emma Martin, communications director for Decatur Morgan County Tourism.
The festival’s organizing group plans to formalize as a nonprofit, Downtown Decatur’s Corazón y Cultura, which will award scholarships to first-generation college students.