Dia de los Muertos — the traditional Mexican celebration of a family’s dead ancestors — has ballooned in popularity over the past two decades, especially in San Jose, where ofrendas and sugar skulls seem to be everywhere during October.

But the festivities downtown may seem a little quieter this year. Organizers of Dia San Jose, a huge celebration that would pack Plaza de Cesar Chavez, announced in August that the event would not take place this year because of a lack of corporate sponsorship.

In today’s tense political climate, it’s natural to see an announcement like that and wonder if there were any concerns the festival — which would draw a heavily Latino crowd — might get unwanted attention. Given that celebrations went on for Cinco de Mayo in May and Fiestas Patrias last month, tha

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