Extreme Security Measures Mark 'Grito' Celebration in Mexico City's Main Plaza Proceso
go to original September 16, 2014

Raw: Mexico Celebrates Independence Day (Associated Press)

Thousands of people arrived last night at the Zócalo [central plaza] of the capital aboard buses from the [adjoining] State of Mexico [Peña Nieto's home state]. For the second year in a row, "the bussed-in" where brought to cheer President Enrique Peña Nieto at the ceremony of the Grito [Shout] of Independence.

Those bussed-in were equipped with rattles, flags and shirts with the letters PRI [Party of the Institutional Revolution] on them. As a reward, they received food and enjoyed a concert by the band Limón.

Before 9:30 in the eventing, the Presidential Guard decided to close the entrances to the Zócalo. This caused anger among hundreds of participants who remained outside.

The people who entered had to pass through four security checks where members of the [new] National Gendarmerie inspected everyone who arrived, including children.

President Peña Nieto issued the traditional cry with a speech of less than fifteen minutes and without making any extravagant statements, as was the custom of Vicente Fox [2000-2006]. Many responded with a mentada de madre [curse of his mother].

Peña Nieto announced that today, at the end of the military parade, he will travel to Baja California Sur to coordinate actions in rebuilding communities affected by Hurricane Odile.

See the original at Mexico Voices

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