A Rowland Heights teen’s sweet 16, celebrated in the style of a traditional quinceañera, was meant to bring together 200 loved ones, but with fear of immigration enforcement spreading across their community, most stayed home.
Denise Alvarez had dreamed of the celebration for a long time and when the day finally arrived, only about 40 of the 200 expected guests showed up.
Video posted by Jasmine Piceno, a bartender working the event, has since gone viral
“I was kind of excited to see how I would look. What would my dress look like,” said Alvarez, the birthday girl.
The teen decided to celebrate with a quinceañera-style party, a Latino tradition that honors a girl’s transition into adulthood. For months, Alvarez and her mom, Maria, planned every detail.
“It’s just like a wedding. There’s no bride, no groom, but everything else is the same. The dress, the hall, the food, the decorations, the party favors,” said Maria Alavarez.
Maria estimates the party cost about $15,000 to put together.
But just days before the big day, Maria says, several immigration enforcement operations were reported in the area and the cancellations started coming in.
“They were scared, and it was better for them to stay home,” said Maria.
Maria says more than half of the money, nearly $10,000, was lost on party favors, food and drinks that went to waste.
When Alvarez arrived, in her big green dress, the reality set in, and the teen was left with a room full of empty chairs.
“I envisioned it like a lot of people showing up and it being crowded and loud,” said Alvarez.
Video posted by Jasmine Piceno, a bartender working the event, has since gone viral of the empty venue.
“It’s not fair that our communities are being traumatized,” said Piceno.
The bartender says she’s seen a pattern of last-minute cancellations and declining attendance at events like Alvarez’s.
“Ever since, like, I want to say, like, April, around April, it’s been slow,” said Piceno.
For Alvarez, it wasn’t the party she imagined, but she says it was still special.
“It doesn’t matter that people didn’t show up. I’m just glad I hung out with my family,” said Alvarez.
Maria says she poured her savings into the party, and while she’s disappointed many didn’t show up, she understands their fear.
Source: NBC Los Angeles