Brazil Fest on Martha’s Vineyard scuttled again over ICE concerns

Brazil Fest on Martha’s Vineyard has been postponed for a second time this year over immigration raid concerns, but this time the event is postponed indefinitely.

The host of the festival, the Building Bridges Coalition, postponed the initial June 1 event date due to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids that occurred a few days prior, coalition member Paula Reidbord said.

The event was rescheduled for Oct. 12 in hopes of being able to put on the second annual event after a successful first year, Reidbord said.

“Due to the current uncertainty and fear surrounding ICE raids, we conducted a survey to collectively decide if we should proceed with the event or not. The majority decided it was not the right time,” Reidbord said.

The coalition received survey responses from 10% of its mailing list and consulted key members regarding whether or not the October festival should take place. Sixteen of the 26 surveyed members voted that the event should be postponed for a second time, according to the email sent to members announcing the postponement.

Similarly due to recent ICE raids, a Hispanic Heritage Month festival scheduled for Sept. 20 was canceled in Everett.

Reidbord continued, “We are still committed to having another festival on the island, and will certainly move forward when appropriate and the community feels it is the right time.”