The East Chicago Mexican Independence Day Parade and Festival will go on as planned Sunday, Unión Benéfica Mexicana organizers said, as the 101st annual celebration will take on a call to action similar to the parade’s origin.

Unión Benéfica Mexicana President Marino Solorio said as Mexican Independence Day, or Fiestas Patrias, celebrations in Chicago have been postponed or seen smaller crowds, the East Chicago organizers had discussions about potentially canceling the celebration.

“There were talks early on to cancel the whole thing to not put into jeopardy any of our people, or community. That’s the last thing we would want,” Solorio said. “We do believe that the call to action is a lot stronger than the potential outcomes. Everybody will have to make a decision, but at the end of the

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