Juárez residents encouraged to stay home during Grito ceremony citing ‘safety reasons’
As México prepares to celebrate the bicentennial of it 1810 Independence from Spain, people in Juárez 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,” Juárez 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, Juárez officials determined to conduct the traditional Grito de Independencia behind closed doors, this time in the City Hall, close to the Río Grande.
In the past, Juárez 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 México!
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“We are going to celebrate our freedom and independence…in here. Shhh, not so loud! They’ll find us!”