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 “focused” try to intimidate employees and guests forward of a lineup of Latine cultural celebrations.
Safety footage shared with Hyperallergic exhibits two people, one carrying a police badge and vest, coming into the museum by way of its fundamental entrance shortly after 4pm on Tuesday, July 8. It’s unclear what particular company they had been affiliated with. Billy Ocasio, the museum’s president and chief govt officer, advised Hyperallergic that the officers had been a part of a bunch that arrived in 15 to twenty unmarked autos within the museum’s car parking zone.
“One among them requested to make use of the toilet, after which when our employees advised them it was okay, one other one adopted in,” Ocasio stated. He added that quite than use the restroom amenities, the unidentified officers proceeded to “look across the museum,” refusing to depart when employees members requested. The officers additionally repeatedly refused to current a warrant or identification, Ocasio stated.
“Individuals had been frightened. They didn’t know methods to reply and had been intimidated.”
Ocasio added that one of many brokers who waited exterior advised employees 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 sturdy Puerto Rican presence, NMPRAC prides itself because the solely 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 an announcement shared with Hyperallergic.
“FALSE. The Division of Homeland Safety DID NOT goal the Nationwide Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Tradition,” McLaughlin stated, claiming that officers with Chicago’s Monetary Crimes Process pressure held a “fast briefing” within the museum’s car parking zone previous to an “enforcement motion associated to a narcotics investigation.”
“As soon as once more, the media and Sanctuary Metropolis politicians are shamefully peddling a false narrative in an try to demonize our ICE enforcement brokers, who’re already going through a 700% surge in assaults in opposition to them,” McLaughlin added.
Nonetheless, 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 employees 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 skilled 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 recurrently attracts giant crowds of attendees.
The museum can also be getting 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 feel [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] and Homeland Safety are attempting to intimidate folks to not come to those occasions,” Ocasio stated, including that he stays optimistic that the incident won’t deter attendees from coming to the occasions.
“In Chicago, we’ve been by way of this earlier than. We’ve handled a whole lot of immigration points, and I feel they only helped us safe most likely the most important viewers we’re ever going to have,” Ocasio stated.
