Despite extensive road closures, parties for Mexican Independence Day are taking place in the city center

DOWNTOWN — Downtown streets were packed with revelers Saturday for Mexican Independence Day, even though the city had closed off the central business district to crack down on car convoys.

Thousands descended on downtown by car or on foot on Saturday to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. People typically form motorcades during the celebrations, a practice that has been condemned by city officials for occupying streets and causing traffic problems.

Chicago police announced “zero tolerance” for car parades and street occupations during this weekend's celebrations. The city even closed most downtown streets on Saturday to limit car traffic.

Hundreds of vehicles gathered downtown on Saturday, honking horns and waving Mexican flags. But their movement was much more restricted than in previous years, with police directing traffic flow on Michigan Avenue until about 9:45 p.m., when widespread streets were closed. Some in the crowd also criticized the city for its attempts to suppress the gatherings.

“We're good enough to work in this city, but not good enough to have fun?” said a partygoer named Gio. “Today is our day! The city treats us differently than everyone else. Why can't we have a night to express ourselves?”

According to the Office of Civil Protection and Communications, all streets in the central business district were closed on Saturday evening due to “above-average traffic volumes” related to the Mexican Independence Day celebrations.

This meant that car traffic was restricted between Halsted Street and DuSable Lake Shore Drive and between 18th Street and Division Street. According to media reports, exits to the Kennedy Expressway were also closed.

According to the city's disaster management office, several access points were set up for people living and working in the area. Roads reopened after 2 a.m. Sunday.

However, this did not stop some Chicagoans from heading downtown to celebrate their Mexican pride.

“Americans have the Fourth of July,” Kevin, another reveler, said in an interview. “That's how it is for us. We just want a day where we celebrate our culture and have fun.”

Others noticed that the crowds on Saturday seemed more moderate than in previous years.

“We love the takeovers every year,” said Daniel, who headed downtown with his friends to celebrate. “We were hoping they would be crazy this year, but I guess we'll see.”

Saturday night's parties coincided with Grito Fest, a two-day festival in Grant Park celebrating Mexican Independence Day. The festival takes place Saturday and Sunday and is expected to draw 12,000 people each day. It is the first city-sponsored Mexican Independence Day event downtown in over a decade.

Some neighbors feared the festival would contribute to motorcades and street occupations downtown that caused significant disruption on some Loop-area streets last year.

The city announced several street closures ahead of the weekend. Police said they would close the entire city center to car traffic if necessary.

El Grito is the victory cry that is traditionally part of Mexican Independence Day, celebrated annually on September 16. The holiday commemorates Mexico's independence from Spain after an eleven-year war that ended in 1821.

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