Laurel’s inaugural celebration of National Hispanic American Heritage Month took place last year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Events included a broad multicultural festival at the Joseph R. Robison Laurel Municipal Center and a Hispanic-themed music event at the Mansion at Laurel.
This year, however, the city is not hosting events, instead issuing a proclamation acknowledging the month. While noting the change, Mayor Keith Sydnor did not specify why the city would not be celebrating again this year.
“While there is no formal ceremony scheduled for 2025, we welcome and encourage any organization or resident interested in planning a celebration. The City of Laurel will gladly provide support to ensure its success,” Sydnor said in a statement, adding, “The absence of a scheduled event this year does not diminish our respect, inclusiveness, or appreciation for our Hispanic residents. The City of Laurel remains committed to celebrating the vibrant diversity of our community because in Laurel, we are all one community.”
Laurel resident Danielle Delgado, 24, is a program director with Snapology, a national franchise offering STEM-focused afterschool learning programs. She was appointed to a three-year term on the city’s Multicultural Advisory Committee in September and thinks that the mayor’s proclamation doesn’t go far enough.
“There needs to be more than just words, there needs to be action,” she said, noting that the city has an opportunity to showcase a culture that is integral to the Laurel community. According to 2020 Census data, Hispanic residents are the city’s second-largest demographic (Black residents make up Laurel’s largest group)..
Celebrations across the country have been scaled back this year amid fears of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests. Organizing an event “might be a signal for ICE to potentially round up a bunch of Latino people,” Delgado said, adding, “My concern is that whether or not it’s intentional, I think there is a message sent to Latinos that [our heritage and contributions} have been overlooked.”
The seven-member Multicultural Advisory Committee includes residents, business owners and a city staff member. They held their initial meeting Sept. 15 — too late to organize a city-sponsored celebration. And, notably, the committee doesn’t have an approved budget to fund an event.
“The only thing we voted on was how often we wanted to meet,” Delgado said.
After joining the Multicultural Advisory Committee, Delgado brought her concerns to the mayor and city council in September.
Councilmember Adrian Simmons (Ward 1) weighed in on the lack of celebrations this year. “Some residents have expressed concerns, understandably, whether this might signal a marginalization or a de-emphasis of the City’s residents of Hispanic Latino heritage in light of current federal events — From what I’m aware of, it’s not a part at all,” he wrote in an email.
In a statement shared with city leaders and Delgado, Snyder suggested that the city will make an effort to mark the month.“Together, we will continue to build an inclusive and respectful city where all cultures are valued.”