SJ leaders try to atone for Cinco de Mayo street closures some denounced as ‘racist’

SAN JOSE OFFICIALS are looking to make amends following what state officials have called a racist handling of the city’s annual Cinco de Mayo festivities. But some residents say it’s not that simple.

San Jose councilmembers unanimously passed a memo in the Rules and Open Government Committee on May 24, asking the San Jose Police Department to open better lines of communication with residents about road closures that may impact car and foot traffic when large events are planned. SJPD, in coordination with Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol, closed several major on- and off-ramps leading into downtown on the weekend of Cinco de Mayo.