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FIESTA has been held in Indianapolis for 44 years.
Photo provided by La Plaza.The 44th annual FIESTA Indianapolis is canceled after a decision organizers say is meant to keep people safe.
Latino nonprofit La Plaza manages the event and made the announcement Wednesday afternoon. The organization said the change in plans was difficult but necessary out of concern for the safety and well-being of the Hispanic community.
For decades the event has brought thousands of people in Indianapolis to gather and celebrate through art, music and food.
La Plaza President and CEO Miriam Acevedo Davis said in a release that, “circumstances this year have made it impossible to host the event in the way our community deserves.”
The announcement comes at a time when President Donald Trump has ramped up efforts to deport immigrants.
While no major ICE raids have been reported in Indiana yet, Governor Mike Braun has echoed his support and has had the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Correction, state police and Indiana National Guard agree to help with immigration enforcement.
After the approval of $45 billion in funding for immigrant detention centers from the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ two sites in the state were added to the growing number of detention facilities — Camp Atterbury and Miami Correctional Facility.
La Plaza said it’s still committed to celebrating and will partner with Univision to showcase Hispanic heritage in central Indiana.
Contact WFYI All Things Considered newscaster and reporter Samantha Horton at shorton@wfyi.org or on Signal at SamHorton.05
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