Brazil festival on Marthas Vineyard postponed a second time over immigration raid concerns

The Building Bridges Coalition indefinitely postponed the Brazil Fest on Martha’s Vineyard, driven by ongoing fears of U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. The festival was initially set for June 1 but was rescheduled to October 12 before being delayed again following a survey of coalition members. Paula Reidbord, a coalition member, noted that 16 of 26 surveyed members voted against proceeding with the event, reflecting community anxiety about ICE activities.

The coalition gathered responses from 10% of its mailing list, indicating significant concerns among attendees. This postponement follows the cancellation of a Hispanic Heritage Month festival in Everett due to similar ICE-related fears. Reidbord reaffirmed the coalition's dedication to eventually hosting the festival when community sentiment allows. The decision underscores the impact of immigration policy on cultural events. Local immigrant communities continue to navigate uncertainty and fear surrounding enforcement actions.