Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Olympia City Council proclaimed Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 as Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month at a meeting on Tuesday Sept. 9.
That marked the third consecutive year the city council has issued the proclamation, recognizing the contributions of Hispanic and Latinx residents to the community.
Mayor Dante Payne connected the Hispanic and Latinx heritage celebration to current political situations. He said cities like Olympia must hold the line as a sanctuary city.
“We have federal leaders that are complicit in what’s happening … but I would say that we are better than this," Payne said.
For Payne, the proclamation was an urgent reminder of Olympia’s responsibility to protect and uplift its residents.
“I’m so proud of us being able to hold the line with our sanctuary city status and protect the people in this community who we love and care about," he said.
Lula Fest LLC CEO Miguel Pinesda emphasized that visibility and inclusion make the community stronger and safer, adding that history has shown resilience prevails over fear.
“One of the most important themes amongst all this divisive behavior that we have, we don't have any control over right now, is unity, and we want to leverage unity in our community to make it safer," Pinesda said.
Pineda announced that LulaFest will be held on Sept. 27 from 1-8 p.m. The event will take place in the same footprint as Summerfest, spanning from Franklin Street to Capitol Way and Legion Way to 4th Avenue.
It will feature two stages, a car show, beer garden, family activities and a number of vendors.
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Southsoundguy
Naaaahhh.
Saturday, September 13, 2025 Report this
JohnFronono
I was just thinking: Positive story about brown folks? Where’s SSGuy’s negative comment?
Saturday, September 13, 2025 Report this
Snevets
I look forward to celebrating the Latino/Hispanic community...just like Black History month a month should be all year!
Saturday, September 13, 2025 Report this
TheVirtualOne
I have no problem with celebrating any other culture, however, I strongly disagree with Mayor Dante Payne’s comments “…cities like Olympia must hold the line as a sanctuary city.”
Undermining federal immigration laws and policies is not the business of cities or states. This is just plain wrong and illegal. In doing so, these politicians are overstepping their authority and committing additional tax dollars toward unauthorized spending on schools, healthcare, law enforcement, and public safety.
Saturday, September 13, 2025 Report this
Wesley
What about Chinx heritage?
Saturday, September 13, 2025 Report this
OlyPlease
We have border patrol and ice for immigration enforcement. We need our police to police our communities. I think that we have to much crime to stop and do the federal government's work too. But the comments section cries either way you go. Boo hoo wa is lawless boo hoo let's take the police off the streets and chase firemen and farmers.
Saturday, September 13, 2025 Report this
wolfmanner
What about European Heritage Month ?
Sunday, September 14, 2025 Report this
ViaLocal
woohoo!
Monday, September 15, 2025 Report this