Federal brokers paid an surprising go to to the Nationwide Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Tradition (NMPRAC) in Chicago earlier this week in what the museum has described as a “targeted” try and intimidate workers and guests forward of a lineup of Latine cultural celebrations.
Safety footage shared with Hyperallergic exhibits two people, one sporting a police badge and vest, coming into the museum by its essential entrance shortly after 4pm on Tuesday, July 8. It’s unclear what particular company they have been affiliated with. Billy Ocasio, the museum’s president and chief govt officer, informed Hyperallergic that the officers have been a part of a gaggle that arrived in 15 to twenty unmarked autos within the museum’s parking zone.
“One of them asked to use the bathroom, and then when our staff told them it was okay, another one followed in,” Ocasio stated. He added that moderately than use the restroom services, the unidentified officers proceeded to “look around the museum,” refusing to depart when workers members requested. The officers additionally repeatedly refused to current a warrant or identification, Ocasio stated.
“People were frightened. They didn’t know how to respond and were intimidated.”
Exterior of the Nationwide Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Tradition (picture by Elias Carmona Rivera)
Ocasio added that one of many brokers who waited exterior informed workers that they labored for the Division of Homeland Safety (DHS). The group left the property earlier than closing time at 5pm.
Based in 2000 in Humboldt Park, a neighborhood in northwest Chicago traditionally recognized for its robust Puerto Rican presence, NMPRAC prides itself as the one nationwide museum exterior of the island itself devoted to preserving Puerto Rican arts and cultural heritage.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin denied the museum’s allegations that DHS officers entered the museum premises in a press release shared with Hyperallergic.
Set up view of the continuing exhibition Archivos Vivos at NMPRAC
“FALSE. The Department of Homeland Security DID NOT target the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture,” McLaughlin stated, claiming that officers with Chicago’s Monetary Crimes Process pressure held a “quick briefing” within the museum’s parking zone previous to an “enforcement action related to a narcotics investigation.”
“Once again, the media and Sanctuary City politicians are shamefully peddling a false narrative in an attempt to demonize our ICE enforcement agents, who are already facing a 700% surge in assaults against them,” McLaughlin added.
The Barrio Fest, which includes a lineup of performances, meals distributors, artisans, and different packages, yearly attracts massive crowds of attendees to the museum. (picture by Nohemi Mora)
Nevertheless, each the museum and native officers stay cautious of future escalations from federal immigration officers. Ocasio stated that Humboldt Park district issued a stop and desist order to DHS prohibiting them from trespassing on the museum’s personal property. He additionally stated that the museum has begun coaching workers to arrange them for potential future run-ins with federal regulation enforcement.
The museum is planning to have on-site personal safety, authorized observers, and attorneys educated in immigration regulation at its Barrio Arts Fest scheduled for this weekend, Ocasio stated. The annual celebration of Puerto Rican arts and tradition — that includes a lineup of artisans, meals distributors, workshops, museum excursions, and performances — is free to the general public and repeatedly attracts massive crowds of attendees.
The museum can be making ready to take comparable measures for its Colombian Fest, scheduled for later this month, and Fiesta Boricua, which is slated for the top of August, Ocasio added.
“I think [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] and Homeland Security are trying to intimidate people not to come to these events,” Ocasio stated, including that he stays optimistic that the incident won’t deter attendees from coming to the occasions.
“In Chicago, we’ve been through this before. We’ve dealt with a lot of immigration issues, and I think they just helped us secure probably the biggest audience we’re ever going to have,” Ocasio stated.
