The annual Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles summer concert series at MacArthur Park is proceeding as planned, organizers confirmed, despite ongoing immigration raids in the area. Levitt LA executive director Allegra Padilla expressed strong support for continuing the performances, stating, “Why should this stop in MacArthur Park?”
After an initial cancellation on June 21, the concert series resumed on June 28 with a performance by the rock band Dengue Fever. The summer-long event will feature musical acts every Saturday through Aug. 30, including performances by Medusa, Eddie Chacon, Wazumbians, La Resistencia, Kinky, and Redd Kross.
“Our safety is not guaranteed in places that are supposed to be our sanctuaries, like hospitals, schools and other places,” Padilla said. “So we might as well continue to come together in the heart of our city and enjoy the vibrant and beautiful culture that makes L.A. unique.”
The Department of Homeland Security reports that nearly 2,800 people have been arrested in the Los Angeles area since early June. Federal agents, joined by members of the National Guard, conducted enforcement operations in MacArthur Park on a recent Monday morning. While rumors of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity circulated in the Westlake area beforehand, it remains unclear if any arrests were made during the park operation.
For the past 18 years, Levitt LA has hosted free concerts. Past performers have included the Grammy-winning band The Wolves, cumbia group Sonora Dinamita, and Los Angeles rock band The Santa Cecilia.
To accommodate community members hesitant to leave their homes due to the ICE raids, Levitt LA will stream concerts live on its Facebook page and YouTube channel. The organization is also increasing security at the events and sharing resources on knowing one’s rights when interacting with immigration officials via their social media accounts.
Padilla noted that Levitt LA has contingency plans to move the series to an alternative venue if MacArthur Park becomes unsuitable for programming. “We’re lucky to have a network of venues that are willing to support us in the case that we may have to make a shift,” she said.
While attendance was lower at the most recent event compared to previous years, Padilla expressed hope that the public will continue to engage with the arts during these challenging times. “The heart of creativity and our joy is the resistance and unity that we need at this moment,” she stated.
The cumbia band Vilma Díaz y la Sonora, whose June 21 performance was canceled, is now scheduled to perform on July 26.
