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ICE and Topeka’s Mexican Fiesta: Is Sheriff Brian Hill a bear in the woods? [1]
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Date: 2025-07-13
Topeka, Kansas, is my hometown. It is not quite what you would think, for first Joe Biden, then Kamala Harris won here. In 2024, that makes it more Democratic than the nation as a whole. But Shawnee County Democrats did not organize themselves to meaningfully contest the courthouse offices. So we have a new Republican sheriff, Brian Hill.
Our 92nd annual Fiesta Mexicana starts Tuesday, July 15th, and runs through Saturday, July 19th. Every year thousands of celebrants throng around Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, the heart of the activities. All five nights. I should note that much of the neighborhood of tiny, aging, laboriously well-maintained houses that sprawls from Our Lady of Guadalupe is still well-populated by families that came to Topeka as early as 1915 to build the Santa Fe Railroad. The Santa Fe shops still adjoin the site.
In point of fact, Saturday morning, July 12th, I participated in the Fiesta Parade. A very nice event. Somewhat light crowds along the parade route. But enthusiastic. Even a bit joyous. Quite ample law enforcement presence. Mostly Topeka Police Department, as far as I could tell. Honestly, their participation just added to the festivities.
But with the approach of the Fiesta comes the abrupt announcement of an ominous new approach to relations with our Latino neighbors by the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Brian Hill has bent the knee and obligated his force to serve as a task force for ICE. This gives me a gauzy, ephemeral concern about the Fiesta.
I lived through Ronald Reagan’s Presidency. Didn’t care for it. But I will never forget Ronald Reagan’s decisive television ad.
Is there a bear in the woods?
The bear was the Soviet Union, if that much explanation is necessary. Team Reagan meant “isn’t it smart to be as strong as the bear?” as a call for support for it’s arms war. I import nothing of the kind. Only as a call for mindfulness and some preparedness vis a vis legal strategies. I only hope that the “Free State Security” mentioned at the Fiesta website represents a proactive, eyes open approach by the organizers.
the task force model
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