THOUSANDS SEE BICENTENNIAL PARADE IN JUAREZ SURROUNDED BY POLICE
FORCE

JUAREZ -- A scaled-down parade with a heavy law-enforcement presence
marked the bicentennial celebration of Mexico's independence on
Thursday in Juarez.

Even though the group that marched down Avenida Heroico Colegio
Militar was small compared with years past, more than 15,000 turned
out to cheer and celebrate.

Hundreds of soldiers blocked off and secured the area, and Mexican
army helicopters patrolled from above.

Despite the militarized feel, many Juarez families attended the parade
Thursday morning because they said it was one of the few activities
available to celebrate the national holiday.

"It's been three years we have been scared," said Victor Ontiveros,
who attended the parade with his wife and five children. "They (his
five sons) persuaded me to come."

Most attendees did not look frightened as they watched marching bands,
soldiers and floats depicting heroes of the Mexican independence
movement parade past.

"This is a party that should not go unnoticed," Crimilda Mercedes
Lucio said. E

City officials had ordered the parade scaled down because of rampant
drug-related violence.

They also moved the parade from its usual location along Avenida 16 de
Septiembre to an open area with few places where potential attackers
could hide.

There have been about 6,400 murders in Juarez since 2008, and the
violence prompted the city to cancel its Independence Day celebration
on Wednesday night, opting instead to televise the traditional activities.

"The reality is a massive concentration of people is really risky,"
Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz said.

In a subdued ceremony Wednesday night, Reyes Ferriz rang a bell as
tradition requires. Then, he began shouting the scripted declaration
with its "Vivas!" and the names of independence martyrs.

Year after year, every mayor, governor and the Mexican president
repeat the same words from balconies as crowds scream in return.

Because the event was closed to the public, Reyes Ferriz had no
chorus. Nobody began shouting back the "Vivas!" at the mayor Wednesday
night at city hall.

After awkward silences, some photographers, special guests and city
workers joined the mayor in the celebration.

The Mexican army was present. Soldiers stood in formation and shouted
back "Viva Mexico!"

A federal police helicopter flew over the city hall area and fireworks
were set off in distant areas of the city.

"It is different," a dejected Reyes Ferriz said. "It is something that
we hope doesn't have to happen again."