Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
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Friday, April 19
The Mexican Fiestas Patrias (National Holidays) committee has been denied a permit to organize the Proclamation of Independence celebration in Millennium Park. The city says it's because a Celtic celebration is scheduled, the director of the committee has a different theory. La Raza online has the story in English which includes a history of dispute between the two organizations vying to be the primary coordinator of Mexican American festivities in Chicago.