JUAREZ RESIDENTS ENCOURAGED TO STAY HOME DURING GRITO CEREMONY CITING
'SAFETY REASONS'

As Mexico prepares to celebrate the bicentennial of it 1810
Independence from Spain, people in Juarez are encouraged to watch the
ceremony from home while the Army and Federal Police keep an eye on
the City Hall during the celebration, local officials said Tuesday.

"We don't want to take any chances," Juarez city spokesman Jaime
Torres said. "It is not feasible to have large crowds (in the site)
during the ceremony, for safety reasons."

For the first time since Mexican Revolution, Juarez officials
determined to conduct the traditional Grito de Independencia behind
closed doors, this time in the City Hall, close to the Rio Grande.

In the past, Juarez residents used to gather in the low level at the
City Hall to celebrate among mariachis, singers, and food booths,
waving Mexican flags, ringing rattles, and chanting "Viva Mexico!

Now, Juarez Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz, surrounded by military
dignitaries and special guest from Juarez and El Paso, will wave the
Mexican flag, ring the Independence bell and yell "Viva Mexico! (Long
live Mexico.) The ceremony will take place at the Juarez City Hall,
near Paso del Norte Bridge, at 11 p.m.

Mexican Federal Police and army troops will not allow anyone near,
Torres said. "We want people to watch the ceremony in the comfort of
their homes."

TV and radio will broadcast the ceremony and the fireworks display,
since the traditional festivities were cancelled for safety reasons.

El Paso Mayor John Cook was invited, and also Mexican Consulate
officials, Torres said.

In a statement released last August, Juarez Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz
said that the ceremony was changed because of the violence in Juarez.

The Independence parade this Thursday will take place at the flagpole,
near Bridge of the Americas.

Since 2008, more than 6,000 people had been killed in Juarez because
of war between the Juarez and Sinaloa drug cartels.