The city of Chicago was reportedly forced to cancel and relocate its Cinco de Mayo parade Sunday after a gang opened fire just over an hour into the annual celebration.
of daily mail report Chicago Police Department (CPD) responded to the parade that began near Damen Avenue and Cermak Road at 12 p.m.
Trouble started soon after that. Video showed rival gangs flashing crowd signals along the parade route.
of Chicago Sun-Times report “Shots were fired along the parade route.”
Unedited raw video: Massive fight between gangs near canceled Cinco de Mayo parade near S Rockwell St and Cermak in Chicago, Illinois on Sunday, May 5, 2024. Please note that it contains foul language. Some arrests were made by Chicago police. Please judge your audience carefully. Several… pic.twitter.com/EQQrXcm6it
— Kyle Mazza (@KyleMazzaWUNF) May 5, 2024
By 1:30 p.m., CPD announced that the long parade had been canceled “out of an abundance of caution.”
CPD said the decision to cancel the event was made by the 10th District, local officials and parade organizers due to “gang violence in the area.”
— Chicago Police Department Communications and Media Relations (@CPD_Media) May 5, 2024
However, Fox 32 report Aldo. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) countered that the parade was not canceled, but instead relocated.
In response to allegations that the Cinco de Mayo Parade in the 25th Ward was canceled, we would like to confirm that the event was not canceled, but relocated and with the active participation of local residents. We want to make it clear that everything was implemented as planned.
The parade began on Damen Street and proceeded along Blue Island, ending at the intersection of Blue Island and Washtenaw. We would like to thank our residents for coming together to celebrate this important cultural and community event.
Chicago police said 25 gang members were arrested, some of whom were in possession of guns.
Charges against those in custody are still ongoing.
