‘People of Minnesota’ receive Hispanic Heritage Award for resilience during ICE surge
Awards leave D.C., hosted in Minneapolis for first time ever
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
The Hispanic Heritage Awards took place outside of Washington, D.C., for the first time ever Thursday night with a ceremony hosted in Minnesota.
The White House established the awards nearly four decades ago to commemorate the creation of Hispanic Heritage Month. The annual celebration honors the contributions and accomplishments of Latinos in the United States and Latin America.
Rita Moreno, Gloria Estefan and Bad Bunny are among big figures to have received Hispanic Heritage Awards in the past.
Organizers said they wanted to hold the event in Minneapolis this year because of the federal immigration surge last winter.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, said a local man invited national leaders to visit in February. They came and left inspired by how people rallied to protect their neighbors.
“We can’t ever allow a feeling of helplessness to become a feeling of hopelessness. And Minnesotanos are neither helpless nor hopeless,” he said. “They are an embodiment of solidarity, unity, resourcefulness, strength, brilliance, faith, bravery and ganas. And that’s why we’re here.”
Major Latino musical artists received awards in person at Orchestra Hall: Oscar D’León, Eladio Carrión, Ximena Sariñana and Mon Laferte.
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas was also present to receive the Public Service Award. He thanked Minnesotans for their activism during Operation Metro Surge.
“The whole nation was inspired by how this community came together when it was under siege by ICE and the Trump administration, with thousands of agents on the street trying to pick up kids and their parents,” Castro said. “And so to have [the Hispanic Heritage Awards] here this year is very fitting.”
The final honor of the night — the humanitarian award — went to the people of Minnesota.
Over 30 Minnesotans took the stage to receive the award, reflecting a range of organizations, businesses and other entities that actively supported people during the federal immigration surge, according to a host committee member.
The iconic California-based band Los Tigres del Norte presented the award to Minnesota and performed two songs meant to represent Latin Americans in the U.S.
Luis Hernández said the band wanted to send a message.
“We have to keep on going. We don't have to give up, especially in these moments,” he said.
