Chicago has banned the Cinco de Mayo parade after mobs opened fire just over an hour into the celebration.
Chicago police responded to the parade that started at noon Sunday near Damen Avenue and Cermak Road.
At 1:30 p.m., CPD announced that the parade had been canceled “out of an abundance of caution” due to “gang violence in the area.”
“Multiple arrests have been made at this time, including weapons arrests. CPD is currently clearing the parade route and asking all parade goers to return home safely,” the announcement said.
Chicago’s Cinco de Mayo parade was canceled Sunday afternoon after police responded to ‘gang violence in the area’
It is unclear whether anyone was injured and exactly why shots were fired. Police remained at the scene to process evidence
Three bikers wore sombreros on their backs as they took part in the Five Boro Bike Tour in New York City on Sunday
It is unclear whether anyone was injured or why shots were fired. Police remained on scene to process evidence, NBC Chicago reported.
The Chicago Fire Department was first sent to the scene until police joined them and attempted to reroute the parade so residents and families could avoid the area.
Video showed a chaotic scene, with men heard screaming as they ran as police tried to contain the area.
Last week, Hector Escobar, the president of Casa Puebla, who helped plan the Little Village festivities, said Fox 32 he was looking forward to bringing the parade back after a five-year hiatus.
“We really want to bring it back so the community can enjoy something beautiful,” Escobar said.
The Little Village parade was on hiatus for a few years due to misunderstandings between organizers and 12th Ward Ald. George Cardenas,” the Chicago Tribune reported.
Escobar told the outlet that the issues were ultimately a thing of the past as the parade was set to return in 2022, but COVID got in the way.
Across the country, other cities have continued with Cinco de Mayo, a holiday honoring Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire during the 1862 Battle of Puebla.
In Santa Monica, Venice’s Cinco de Mayo Parade Festival kicked off as dancers dressed in feathers and long skirts took to the streets and celebrated the holiday
Children were also seen dressed in vibrant colors and sombreros, while the girls wore colorful ribbons in braided hair
An array of classic cars were displayed to the public as Mexican flags hung from the vehicles
Cyclists in New York City took to the streets for the Five Boro Bike Tour and made sure they still celebrated the fun holiday.
Three men were seen riding their bicycles wearing large, brown sombreros with colorful trim on their backs.
In Santa Monica, the Venice Cinco de Mayo Parade Festival kicked off as dancers dressed in feathers and long skirts took to the streets and celebrated the holiday.
Children were also seen dressed in vibrant colors and sombreros, while the girls wore colorful ribbons in braided hair.
A man was seen wearing a feather headpiece as he danced around with bright body paint on his chest and jewelry.
A group of men were also seen riding horses at Oakwood Recreation Park.
An array of classic cars were displayed to the public as Mexican flags hung from the vehicles.
Meanwhile, two celebrations broke out in Colorado, one in Greely and one in Denver.
A live band took the stage in Greely, about an hour outside of Denver, as audience members enjoyed their Sunday afternoon on the streets and enjoyed the show.
A man was seen wearing a feather headpiece as he danced around with bright body paint on his chest and jewelry
In Greely, Colorado, women were seen dressed in long, layered, bright dresses with large flowers in their hair
A Dallas man was seen wearing a large sombrero with teal margarita-themed glasses during the final round of the Byron Nelson Golf Tournament in McKinney, Texas
Women were seen in long, layered, bright dresses with large flowers in their hair.
Mexican flags were hung throughout the street as vendors sold community products to residents.
In Denver, stage performers dressed in blue, yellow and white danced to traditional Mexican music during the Cinco de Mayo ‘Celebrate Culture’ Festival.
It was the 35th annual Cinco de Mayo celebration that took place at Civic Center Park.
A Dallas man was spotted wearing a large sombrero with a teal margarita theme during the final round of the Byron Nelson Golf Tournament in McKinney, Texas.