Chicago BANS Cinco de Mayo parade after gangs open fire - as revelers in New York and LA celebrate on streets

Chicago has banned its Cinco de Mayo parade after gangs opened fire just a little more than an hour into the celebration. 

The Chicago Police Department responded to the parade that started at 12pm near Damen Avenue and Cermak Road on Sunday. 

By 1.30pm, CPD announced that the parade was canceled 'out of an abundance of caution' due to 'gang violence in the area.' 

'At this time, multiple arrests have been made, including gun arrests. CPD is currently clearing the parade route and asking all parade-goers to return home safely,' the announcement said. 

The Cinco de Mayo parade in Chicago was canceled on Sunday afternoon after police responded to 'gang violence in the area' 

It is unclear is anyone was injured and why exactly gunfire was exchanged. Police remained at the scene to process evidence

Three bikers wore sombreros on their backs as they participated in the Five Boro Bike Tour in New York City on Sunday 

It is unclear if anyone was injured and why gunfire was exchanged. Police remained at the scene to process evidence, NBC Chicago reported. 

The Chicago Fire Department was first dispatched to the scene until police joined them and tried to reroute the parade so residents and families could avoid the area. 

Video showed a chaotic scene as men where heard screaming as they ran while cops tried to contain the area. 

Just last week, Hector Escobar, the president of Casa Puebla, who has helped plan the festivities in Little Village, told Fox 32 he was looking forward to brining the parade back after a five year hiatus. 

'We really wanna bring it back to have the community enjoy something beautiful,' Escobar said. 

The Little Village parade was stalled for a couple of years because of 'misunderstandings between the organizers and 12th Ward Ald. George Cardenas,' the Chicago Tribune reported. 

Escobar told the outlet that the issues were eventually left in the past as the parade was meant to come back in 2022, but COVID got in the way. 

Across the country other cities have continued on with Cinco de Mayo, a holiday that celebrates Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. 

In Santa Monica, Venice Cinco de Mayo Parade Festival kicked off as dancers dressed in feathers and long skirts took the streets and celebrated the holiday

Children were also seen dressed in vibrant colors and sombreros as the girls donned colorful ribbons in braided hair

An array of classic cars were shown off to the crowd as Mexican flags hung from the vehicles

Bikers in New York City hit the streets for the Five Boro Bike Tour and made sure that they still celebrated the fun holiday.  

Three men were seen on their bikes with large, brown sombreros with a colorful trim hanging on their backs. 

In Santa Monica, the Venice Cinco de Mayo Parade Festival kicked off as dancers dressed in feathers and long skirts took the streets and celebrated the holiday.

Children were also seen dressed in vibrant colors and sombreros as the girls donned colorful ribbons in braided hair. 

A man was seen wearing a feather head piece as he danced around with bright body paint on his chest and jewelry. 

A group of men were also seen riding horses at Oakwood Recreation Park. 

An array of classic cars were shown off to the crowd as Mexican flags hung from the vehicles.

Meanwhile, in Colorado, two celebrations broke out, one in Greely and another in Denver. 

A live band took the stage in Greely, about an hour outside of Denver, as spectators enjoyed their Sunday afternoon lined on the street enjoying the show. 

A man was seen wearing a feather head piece as he danced around with bright body paint on his chest and jewelry

Women were seen dressed in long, layered bright dresses with big flowers in their hair in Greely, Colorado 

A man from Dallas was seen sporting a large sombrero with teal margarita themed glasses during the final round of the Byron Nelson golf tournament in McKinney, Texas

Women were seen in long, layered bright dresses with big flowers in their hair. 

Mexican flags were hung up throughout the street as vendors sold community staples to residents. 

In Denver, stage performers dressed in blue, yellow and white danced to traditional Mexican music at the Cinco de Mayo 'Celebrate Culture' Festival. 

It was the 35th annual Cinco de Mayo celebration that took place at Civic Center Park. 

A man from Dallas was seen sporting a large sombrero with teal margarita themed glasses during the final round of the Byron Nelson golf tournament in McKinney, Texas.