MoCo Executive Erlich cancels Hispanic Heritage festival without consulting council

[Anonymous]

https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2025/09/montgomery-county-cancels-hispanic-heritage-festival-drawing-criticism-from-councilmember/


Montgomery County, Maryland, has canceled what was meant to be its second annual Hispanic Heritage Festival in Wheaton, citing concerns about community safety amid increased federal immigration enforcement.

[Anonymous]

I mean, it’s happening everywhere. Why put people in danger?

[Anonymous]

No tax dollars should be spent on these cultural events (except for police protection, of course).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No tax dollars should be spent on these cultural events (except for police protection, of course).

that's stupid

[Anonymous]

The decision is the correct one. Yes, he should have made courtesy calls to a few people before making the decision public, but really, there's nothing to consult about. It was the right call.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The decision is the correct one. Yes, he should have made courtesy calls to a few people before making the decision public, but really, there's nothing to consult about. It was the right call.

I agree. He made the right call.

OP, do you not share the concerns about community safety?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The decision is the correct one. Yes, he should have made courtesy calls to a few people before making the decision public, but really, there's nothing to consult about. It was the right call.

+1. Seems that some members of the council just like to be offended about everything. Boo hoo, so you weren't consulted, who cares.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No tax dollars should be spent on these cultural events (except for police protection, of course).

that's stupid

It contributes to racial silos. Government should be about unity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No tax dollars should be spent on these cultural events (except for police protection, of course).

Don't they have companies sponsor it, and also some restaurants/vendors pay to rent tables there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No tax dollars should be spent on these cultural events (except for police protection, of course).

that's stupid

It contributes to racial silos. Government should be about unity.

OK no more St. Patrick's Day celebrations for you. It's apparently too divisive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The decision is the correct one. Yes, he should have made courtesy calls to a few people before making the decision public, but really, there's nothing to consult about. It was the right call.

+1. Seems that some members of the council just like to be offended about everything. Boo hoo, so you weren't consulted, who cares.

Not everyone wants to hide and cower in fear.
You think Latinos should hide in the basement for 4 years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The decision is the correct one. Yes, he should have made courtesy calls to a few people before making the decision public, but really, there's nothing to consult about. It was the right call.

+1. Seems that some members of the council just like to be offended about everything. Boo hoo, so you weren't consulted, who cares.

Not everyone wants to hide and cower in fear.
You think Latinos should hide in the basement for 4 years?

I can’t speak for all Latinos. I don’t claim to speak for anybody, but myself and I know my family shares the same sentiment. We are not afraid and not hiding and we’re not scared. We are citizens. We’re not buying into the fear that so many people want to put into us that we should be hiding in a basement

By canceling the festival, which we go to every year with our friends and family, the message it sent to people is that Latinos are here illegally and all Latinos are scared to go out. It feeds the fear and it is irrational.

But whatever, they are not going to listen to us because we are just Latinos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The decision is the correct one. Yes, he should have made courtesy calls to a few people before making the decision public, but really, there's nothing to consult about. It was the right call.

+1. Seems that some members of the council just like to be offended about everything. Boo hoo, so you weren't consulted, who cares.

Not everyone wants to hide and cower in fear.
You think Latinos should hide in the basement for 4 years?

I can’t speak for all Latinos. I don’t claim to speak for anybody, but myself and I know my family shares the same sentiment. We are not afraid and not hiding and we’re not scared. We are citizens. We’re not buying into the fear that so many people want to put into us that we should be hiding in a basement

By canceling the festival, which we go to every year with our friends and family, the message it sent to people is that Latinos are here illegally and all Latinos are scared to go out. It feeds the fear and it is irrational.

But whatever, they are not going to listen to us because we are just Latinos.

I love how Elrich as an old white man makes this decision without consulting actual stakeholders. He's such a hypocrite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The decision is the correct one. Yes, he should have made courtesy calls to a few people before making the decision public, but really, there's nothing to consult about. It was the right call.

+1. Seems that some members of the council just like to be offended about everything. Boo hoo, so you weren't consulted, who cares.

Not everyone wants to hide and cower in fear.
You think Latinos should hide in the basement for 4 years?

I can’t speak for all Latinos. I don’t claim to speak for anybody, but myself and I know my family shares the same sentiment. We are not afraid and not hiding and we’re not scared. We are citizens. We’re not buying into the fear that so many people want to put into us that we should be hiding in a basement

By canceling the festival, which we go to every year with our friends and family, the message it sent to people is that Latinos are here illegally and all Latinos are scared to go out. It feeds the fear and it is irrational.

But whatever, they are not going to listen to us because we are just Latinos.

The initial post describes this as the “second annual” festival—yet you claim to “go to every year” to an event that has apparently only been held once. Which is it? Are you, perhaps, referring to a different festival?

It’s great that you, personally are not buying into fear. I’m curious. What would you say to the autistic 5 year old that was being physically held by ICE agents as bait while they attempted to lure her father out of their home?

If you and your family are fine with festivals, you can, of course, feel free to sponsor your own — and handle whatever interventions people like Miller and ICE agents might have for such a gathering in an historically blue county, conveniently located right outside DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The decision is the correct one. Yes, he should have made courtesy calls to a few people before making the decision public, but really, there's nothing to consult about. It was the right call.

+1. Seems that some members of the council just like to be offended about everything. Boo hoo, so you weren't consulted, who cares.

Not everyone wants to hide and cower in fear.
You think Latinos should hide in the basement for 4 years?

It's not about hiding in fear. It's about the county not promoting an event, and then ICE swooping in, after the cats have been herded. Why should the county be part of that? It's a liability and safety issue.