By Madeline Fuerstenberg, Community Reporter
Note: the term “Latinx” used in this story is a gender neutral word increasingly used to refer to people of Latin American origin.
The second annual Summer Fiesta, scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Altoona’s River Prairie Park, is a step forward from last year in JONAH’S efforts to bridge the gap between area police and the local Latinx community.
Last July, JONAH’s Immigration Task Force hosted the first such event at Immanuel Lutheran Church, which brought together Eau Claire area police and members of the local Latinx community.
JONAH is a local faith-based group with a focus on social justice issues.
Task Force co-chairs David and Joyce Anderson said in an interview that they hope for an even better turnout on Sunday than the 200 or so people who attended last year’s event. That gathering was purposely kept out of the public eye and attendees were personally invited.
Public is invited this year
This year the public is invited to attend. The free Fiesta will run from 4 to 7 p.m. and will feature live music, dance lessons, food trucks, piñatas and games. Guest speakers at the event will include the mayor of Altoona, a representative from local law enforcement and a representative from the Latinx community.
Last year, it was the Eau Claire Police Department’s idea to host the first Summer Fiesta. The Immigration Task Force was happy to help implement the idea, believing it would provide the Latinx community with the opportunity to interact with Eau Claire police and express their fears.
Likewise, the police felt as though they cannot effectively protect the community when they know people are afraid of them, David Anderson said. The police want people to feel comfortable coming to them, regardless of immigration status, he added.
State’s 2007 decision led to mistrust
David Anderson said members of the local Latinx community have grown increasingly wary of the police since Wisconsin’s 2007 decision to prohibit unauthorized immigrants from obtaining drivers licenses. This led to an increase in unlicensed drivers using the roads and an inevitable increase in the number of unauthorized immigrants arrested for driving without a license.
Situations like this – accompanied by today’s national rhetoric on immigration and tragedies like the El Paso mass shooting – have resulted in a general mistrust and fear of law enforcement within the Latinx community, the Andersons said.
“I know an immigrant family that was saying they have to explain to their kids that (the cops) are not out to get them – that they’re, for the most part, around to protect them,” David Anderson said.
The Andersons also said they know people who will actively avoid downtown Eau Claire because of the area’s heavy police presence. They said it is their hope that someday all people will feel like equal members of the Eau Claire community and that no one will be afraid to make their existence here known.
Police from two cities to attend
This year, the City of Altoona wanted to host the Fiesta and extend it to all. Once again, local police from Eau Claire and Altoona will be in attendance.
According to the Andersons, this will be an informal party dedicated to neighbors meeting neighbors, celebrating diversity and fun for all. It is not intended to be a political statement, Joyce Anderson said.
The Andersons said they hope that, regardless of how many people attend this year’s festival, there is an equal balance between Latinx guests and white guests.
“If you come to this, make a plan to meet somebody you don’t know – someone you haven’t met before,” David Anderson said. “Particularly someone who’s not like you.”
“I think (events like this) raise awareness that we have neighbors (who) are from Central and South American countries – that they are wonderful people and they have a lot to share with us and that it makes the community a lot more interesting and a lot stronger having them present,” he said.
Need to know ‘the other’
Joyce Anderson invoked the Golden Rule as she said one must know the “other” before people are truly able to treat one another with kindness and respect.
“You’re afraid of the unknown – the other – until you meet them; until you realize you have so much in common,” she said. “It’s really about building a wonderfully diverse and strong community and, once again, celebrating that.”
She also pointed out that Eau Claire has increased in racial diversity substantially over the past 30 years, making it more and more necessary for the community to break down cultural and racial barriers between different groups of people.
“It’s just so wonderful that our community is evolving,” she said. “It is reflecting, really, the beauty of the United States – of diversity. This is a community that was founded by immigrants.”
This year’s Fiesta will be sponsored by JONAH, El Centro Conexion de Chippewa Valley and area police departments. Space for the event is being provided by the City of Altoona free of charge and the musical performances will be donated by volunteers.
The Andersons said they would like to see the Summer Fiesta continue to grow in the future, possibly alternating between Altoona and Eau Claire.
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