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Cinco de Mayo celebrated early amid immigration crackdowns

By Myah Garza

Posted May 5, 2025

Pili's Party Tacos truck is parked along South Walnut Street Monday.

Pili's Party Taco truck is parked along South Walnut Street Monday. (Devan Ridgway / WTIU)

This year, cities like Chicago and Philadelphia canceled their Cinco de Mayo parades due to heightened fears surrounding immigration enforcement.

In Bloomington, Pili’s Taco Truck and the Bloomington Brewing Company celebrated the holiday on Sunday — one day early — featuring a taco eating contest, music, and fun for the whole family.

Cinco De Mayo is an annual celebration to commemorate the Mexican army’s defeat of the French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

Maria del Pilar González, owner of Pili’s Party Tacos, is originally from Puebla and said the holiday holds special meaning. So, when she opened her first food truck, she knew she wanted to celebrate it in a big way.

Pili's Party Tacos owner Maria del Pilar González talks about the importance of Cinco de Mayo. (Devan Ridgway / WTIU)

Gonzalez said they chose to hold the event on a Sunday to make it more accessible for families, since children are out of school and many people have the day off.

“Sundays are better because it’s for family time and my team had almost everybody the day off, so they could come in and enjoy,” Gonzalez said.

Although her team raised concerns of the political scrutiny on their community this year, Gonazlez decided to hold the festivities regardless.

“I don’t really know what they want to do, it’s scary. It's always scary because I know we are not from here,” Gonzalez said.

“The good thing is we're all together from people in Bloomington to Latin people. I feel yesterday they try to protect us. I feel they come in and try to say I’m here with you, we’re not alone.”

Pili’s Party Tacos has three trucks, along with a deli, and are located on 109 S. Walnut St.