Kids take turns whacking a piñata shaped like an ICE AGENT at city-sponsored block party in Chicago
- The provocative piñata was featured at East Side Community Day on July 13
- It was made by members of the Chicago chapter of the Los Brown Berets
- The pro-Chicano nonprofit group said they wanted to make a statement about about Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s actions at the southern border
- At least a dozen children were seen lining up to take their turn beating the piñata
- The images divided social media, with many commenters praising the bold statement while others called it disrespectful and destructive
A city-sponsored community block party in Chicago sparked controversy when children were seen whacking a piñata shaped like an ICE officer.
The provocative political party fixture at East Side Community Day on July 13 was orchestrated by the Chicago chapter of the Los Brown Berets, a nationwide pro-Chicano nonprofit.
A member of the group said they purchased a Batman piñata and transformed it to look like an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer to make a statement about the agency’s actions at the southern border.
At least a dozen children were photographed and filmed lining up to take their turn beating the piñata, sometimes with the assistance of their parents.
The images made their way onto social media and divided the public, with many commenters praising the bold statement while others called it disrespectful and destructive.
A city-sponsored community block party in Chicago sparked controversy when children were encouraged to whack a piñata shaped like an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer
The provocative political party fixture at East Side Community Day on July 13 was orchestrated by the Chicago chapter of the Los Brown Berets, a nationwide pro-Chicano nonprofit
At least a dozen children were photographed and filmed lining up to take their turn beating the piñata, sometimes with the assistance of their parents
‘It was not meant in a negative way at all towards law enforcement,’ Anthony Martinez, leader of Los Brown Berets’ Chicago chapter, told CBS2.
He said the group’s intention was to condemn the federal government’s immigration policy, including increased deportation efforts and separating migrant children from their parents.
The event also featured a painted image of President Donald Trump that children were invited to throw balls at.
Martinez said the proceeds from the defiant kids’ activities will go towards helping asylum seekers.
Posting a news story about the party on Facebook, LBB wrote: ‘Yes we are Radical and Controversial , we will always have people against us and that’s why we are here to Serve, observe and protect those in need.
‘A pinata is a Mexican tradition that shows hard work pays off. A pinata is Not meant to be violent, it’s Our culture.’
‘It was not meant in a negative way at all towards law enforcement,’ Anthony Martinez, leader of Los Brown Berets’ Chicago chapter, told CBS2
Members of Los Brown Berets bought a Batman piñata and transformed it into an ICE agent
East Side Community Day was organized by the Chicago chamber of commerce and featured 25 East Side businesses.
A representative for the chamber said they never expected the event would cause backlash and were not warned of LBB’s plan to bring the piñata.
‘It affected the event, and that’s okay,’ Marvin Covington told CBS2.
‘It wasn’t told to me: “Hey, there’s going to be an ICE piñata coming,” but it was there.’
Covington said despite the surprise piñata, the event was a success and they do intend on continuing the tradition of community day next year.
A Los Brown Berets member is seen proudly holding the piñata as kids gathered to take a shot
Proceeds from the controversial kids’ activities will go towards helping asylum seekers