Resilience and Remembrance: Day of the Dead Celebrations in Minneapolis

Sun Nov 02 2025 06:04:28 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In the face of heightened immigration enforcement, the Latino community in Minneapolis gathers to celebrate Día de Muertos, symbolizing resilience and connection to their ancestors.

The Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations at El Colegio High School in Minneapolis attracted over 100 attendees, highlighting the significance of the holiday amidst challenging immigration policies. Participants emphasized the event's role in fostering community ties and honoring their ancestors. Amidst fears of deportation, the festivities symbolize resilience and cultural pride, with altars honoring both local and global losses.

MINNEAPOLIS — An air of celebration and remembrance enveloped El Colegio High School on Saturday morning as over 100 community members followed traditional Aztec dancers through an arch of colorful papel picado (paper flowers) to honor their ancestors during Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead.

It’s a way of greeting our ancestors into our homes, back into our lives, even if they’re not here physically, but spiritually, shared Daniela Rosales, a senior at the bilingual school. This cultural event resonates deeply, especially during a time when many feel the weight of increased immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, leading to heightened fears within the Latino community.

Despite concerns over potential immigration raids dampening public celebrations, the turnout was significant, with festivities taking on a deeper meaning of resilience and community pride. Justin Ek, a festival founder in Mankato, asserted, We decided we can’t cave. Our cultural celebrations are what we need to fill our souls for what’s to come.

While the holiday traditionally commemorates the deceased, it has evolved to encompass a broader sense of familial and community connection. Participants like Luis Alberto Orozco emphasized the necessity to honor what we lost through joyful remembrance, in stark contrast to both Halloween’s party atmosphere and the solemnity of All Saints' and All Souls' days.

This year’s altars, adorned with flickering candles, sugar skulls, and marigold flowers, paid tribute not only to personal losses but tragic events affecting the community, such as the recent school shooting nearby and deaths along the U.S.-Mexico border.

In cities, both large and small, Latino communities across the nation participated in similar vibrant celebrations, showcasing their cultural heritage and the unity of their community amidst adversity. As Susana De Leon, one of the traditional dancers, stated, When the community sees us dancing, they feel strengthened. They feel the love.

Overall, Day of the Dead has served as a reminder of the importance of community connection and preserving cultural traditions, reasserting their presence against external challenges while honoring the legacies of those who came before them.