Cheers to Hispanic Heritage Month and How We Move Forward

Written by: Natalie Arnez 🇧🇴 🇸🇻

Montgomery County's Promotional Flyer for Hispanic Heritage Month, 2023 (Image via Montgomery County Official Website)

As October comes to a close, so does another Hispanic Heritage Month, a time that’s meant to celebrate culture, music, food, and community. But this year in Maryland, the celebration looked a little different.

Across the state, events were scaled back, relocated, or canceled altogether.

In Wheaton, Montgomery County leaders decided to cancel an Oct. 12 festival at Marian Fryer Town Plaza, citing concerns that the gathering could be targeted for immigration enforcement.

“People are self-selecting when they go out and when they expose themselves,” County Executive Marc Elrich said. “It’s sad to see people doing that.”

In Baltimore, two Hispanic Heritage Month events were canceled and three others moved indoors.

“It’s unfortunate that people can’t be proud of their country of origin and their ethnicity and celebrate,” said Catalina Rodríguez Lima, director of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. “But we live in different times now. People should do what makes them feel safe.”

The fear is real. In recent months, reports of ICE activity and even civilians impersonating agents have spread uncertainty in immigrant communities. It’s a difficult reality when joy and pride must coexist with caution.

Yet, even in quieter celebrations, there’s a reminder of what heritage truly means. Culture isn’t confined to a single festival or a parade. It lives in Maryland’s restaurants, the small businesses that keep traditional flavors alive, and the artists, teachers, and families who continue to share their stories. And still, there were celebrations held across the state!

Hispanic Heritage Month may be over, but pride doesn’t end with a date on the calendar. And amid the challenges, there are still moments of celebration on the horizon. From local cultural festivals returning next year to artists like Bad Bunny taking the stage at the Super Bowl, representing Latin culture on one of the biggest platforms in the world.

Resilience has always been part of the story. The beauty of heritage is that it continues, even in times of uncertainty. As this month ends, Maryland’s Hispanic communities remind us that pride doesn’t need a parade to shine; it lives on in the people who carry it forward every single day.