Once Halloween is over, some skulls and skeletons remain on display — only this time, the festivities become welcoming and sacred rather than frightening.
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a cultural tradition in the Latine community celebrated from Nov. 1 to 2. The holiday is meant to honor and celebrate the lives of departed loved ones, especially by cherishing their memories through colorfully decorated altars, also known as ofrendas.
This popular tradition shows up around Los Angeles each year as an important showcase of the area’s large Latine presence. Yet, this year, fear and uncertainty loom over public spaces — as ongoing immigration raids take place across the country, the threat of arrest and harassment has made organizers and community members hesitant to gather for large events.
In September, a number of Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations were canceled. The city of Pasadena canceled it’s annual Latino Heritage Parade, and Long Beach announced that its Nov. 1 Día de Los Muertos parade would also be called off.
Despite these concerns, the organizers of some of L.A.’s longstanding Día de Los Muertos events said they wouldn’t bow down, and that they were committed to providing a welcoming space for celebration.
One Día de Los Muertos celebration takes place at Self Help Graphics & Art in Boyle Heights, combining art and social justice. The Chicano and Latine artists’ hub has held annual celebrations for more than 50 years, originally from their previous location in East Los Angeles.
Paulina Flores, the organization’s interim executive director, said they were working to ensure safety plans were in place and that organization leaders would be in constant communication with one another.
The organization’s event includes food, performances, a marketplace and altars dedicated to fallen activists.
“The tactic of fear is so that we become paralyzed not to act,” Flores said.
At Olvera Street, the Olvera Street Merchants Association has hosted nightly celebrations leading up to Día de Los Muertos for decades.
Olvera Street — one of the city’s oldest streets and marketplaces — is the site of a nine-day celebration that presents performances like “Danza de la Muerte” by Teatro del Barrio, and a Novenario procession to honor loved ones. The events began on Oct. 25 and highlight the holiday’s Indigenous roots and feature folklórico dancers, banda music performances and a community art gallery.
“This is sort of the birthplace, not only of L.A. but also of all of these cultural events that are happening throughout the city,” said Valerie Hanley, owner of Casa California, a souvenir shop, and a member of the association.
Hanley said she understands that some people may be fearful, but the goal remains to preserve tradition and share it with the community. She said the OSMA does not plan to take special precautions; she’s confident the events will remain safe.
“Even though these things are happening, I don’t think (immigration agents) would be that crass to come into a cultural event and do something like that,” Hanley said. “So we are very hopeful that that won’t happen.”
At the Olvera Street celebration, attendees expressed a desire to remain together as a community.
“I’m pretty sure Olvera Street is not gaining as much money or publicity as before, because everybody’s afraid they stay home, and we’re living in a very sad time right now,” said Lidia Molina, who attended in honor of her father, and painted her face like a Día de Los Muertos skull. “A lot of us want to belong. A lot of us want to be part of something. So that’s why we come here.”
Rosie Vasquez, another attendee, said she appreciated that the event could feel like a “slice of Mexico” and continue on despite fears in the Latine community.
“I think it just gives the message that we are here and we’re not going anywhere,” Vasquez said.
At Olvera Street, Jenny Hernandez stood beside her vast ofrenda that stretched across several tables draped in traditional Mexican blankets. Large frames held collages of smiling faces and pets, surrounded by colorful skulls, candles and marigolds placed at every corner.
Hernandez said this was her 19th year setting up an ofrenda at this particular celebration, adding that she adds photos from other community members who visit.
She said she hopes future generations will continue to embrace this cultural practice. As families gather to celebrate Día de los Muertos, Hernandez said she feels the holiday can unite the community across generations as a declaration of life, resilience and identity.
“We have to keep them grounded in our culture and our traditions, so that when stuff like this happens, you do speak up and you do stand up,” she said.