What was supposed to be a joyous celebration of Latino culture has suffered a serious setback with organisers blaming Lambeth council mismanagement, police objections and Licensing Department interventions yesterday.
Luis Enrique Hidalgo got in touch with Brixton Buzz to tell us what happened:
What was meant to be a free event celebrating Brixton’s Latin Community has been cancelled with a heady mix of Lambeth council mismanagement, last minute police objections and farcical Licensing Department interventions yesterday.
The day was initially setup to extoll the virtues of car free days with the first event celebrating the Caribbean community which was deemed relatively successful given the small amount of time given by Lambeth to make it happen.
However, a very different tune has played out with last minute police objections and licensing obstacle thrown up to disrupt and cancel today’s event leaving event organisers and local businesses feeling betrayed.
Performers were no longer allowed on the street, the music stage terminated and businesses only allowed to serve internally at their businesses.
Viktorija Kaskonaite, owner at the Courtesan on Atlantic Road:
“we really needed a joyful celebration today and thanks to incompetence we have been damaged, how sad the disrespect shown to those friends who put their hearts into making this day special”
Trouble had already been brewing when Latin Life were angered at the confusion initiated by Lambeth and managed by the Brixton BID:
“ Given the extremely poor handling of the programming for this event, we at Latino Life have decided to completely withdraw from any further involvement”
Supercute who have been central in advocating for the LatinoBrixton Street Day stated:
“We have contacted Donatus Anyanwu on multiple occasions as the Cabinet Member for “Stronger Communities” and have been ignored.
This is a massive opportunity missed to reach, support and honour our vital community throughout London and for our business in Brixton to endure.”
Whilst some businesses will try and use the opportunity to create some atmosphere and conduct business they will be doing it without significant Latin representation.
Community leaders “Colombians in London” had organised the central stage added:
As a Latino promoter with the biggest Latino page in Europe the Latino Brixton day, was not given to Latin American representative to showcase our culture, the lack of respect and dealing with the Latin community who do events all over London was shocking, we have ZERO representation in BRIXTON when we are one of the biggest communities”
The fallout in the Latin community may just be starting: One online commentator sees an ongoing political issue that needs addressing:
I’m SICK of watching non-Latinos throw “Latin events” and somehow get praised for “representing” us-our culture, our music, our GOOD VIBE.
Y’all keep supporting these watered-down versions of who we are… then cry about cultural appropriation, about others taking
our shine, our rhythm, our sabor.
But who’s letting them? WE ARE.
We keep showing up. We keep reposting. We stay quiet. Then we wonder why we’re erased.
Enough.