MACON, Ga. — The organizer of an unofficial Hispanic Heritage Month Festival at Smiley's Flea Market in Macon announced Friday he is canceling the event because of fear of immigration enforcement among his community.
Moises Velez says Smiley's was supposed to be full of music and celebration on Sunday, but now it will stay quiet out of fear.
Velez has lived in Macon for 40 years, longer than he lived in Puerto Rico where he was born and raised. He says he's never seen fear like this.
"I never see this level of fear in the community," Velez said.
Velez says he's organized his Hispanic Heritage Month Festival for ten years, and that he's canceled this year's event for his attendees safety, and because a scheduled performer from Mexico was not able to obtain Visas.
However, Velez says