Oak Park Dia De Los Muertos rises in the face of fear for a day of joy and celebration 

Oak Park’s Dia De Los Muertos event was born out of fear and isolation during the pandemic to spread love and connection across the community. Last year, the event was canceled due to the increased presence of federal immigration officers, bringing a new wave of fear and isolation. Event organizer Alma Martinez said this year is back and better than ever with a “dream team” of organizers. It will be held on Nov. 1 at Scoville Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The theme is monarch butterflies, a historic symbol of immigration representing resilience through “everywhere they have to travel and everything they have to endure.” “We re happy to showcase our culture, in the same way that we give so much love, we want to be treated with respect and kindness,” said Martinez. “We are not here to hurt anybody, to take anybody s jobs. We are here to work hard, to be better than what we were, to seek opportunities that sometimes people don t have in their own countries, and to show the beauty a