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 to intimidate employees and guests forward of a lineup of Latine cultural celebrations.
Safety footage shared with Hyperallergic reveals two people, one carrying a police badge and vest, coming into the museum by way of its major 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, instructed Hyperallergic that the officers had been a part of a gaggle that arrived in 15 to twenty unmarked automobiles within the museum’s car 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 mentioned. He added that somewhat than use the restroom services, the unidentified officers proceeded to “look around the museum,” refusing to go away when employees members requested. The officers additionally repeatedly refused to current a warrant or identification, Ocasio mentioned.
“People were frightened. They didn’t know how to respond and were intimidated.”
Exterior of the Nationwide Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Tradition (photograph by Elias Carmona Rivera)
Ocasio added that one of many brokers who waited exterior instructed 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 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 an announcement shared with Hyperallergic.
Set up view of the continued exhibition Archivos Vivos at NMPRAC
“FALSE. The Department of Homeland Security DID NOT target the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture,” McLaughlin mentioned, claiming that officers with Chicago’s Monetary Crimes Job drive held a “quick briefing” within the museum’s car 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 encompasses a lineup of performances, meals distributors, artisans, and different packages, yearly attracts giant crowds of attendees to the museum. (photograph by Nohemi Mora)
Nevertheless, each the museum and native officers stay cautious of future escalations from federal immigration officers. Ocasio mentioned that Humboldt Park district issued a stop and desist order to DHS prohibiting them from trespassing on the museum’s personal property. He additionally mentioned 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 educated in immigration regulation at its Barrio Arts Fest scheduled for this weekend, Ocasio mentioned. 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 giant crowds of attendees.
The museum can also be making ready to take comparable measures for its Colombian Fest, scheduled for later this month, and Fiesta Boricua, which is slated for the tip 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 mentioned, including that he stays optimistic that the incident is not going to 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 mentioned.
