Mexico’s Independence Day is, on Sept 16, recognized by many. On Mexican Freedom Day 2010, Mexico celebrates two centuries of freedom. A great many Americans seem to think that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day. This is false. Cinco de Mayo is celebrated to remember the Battle of Puebla. This is why anything seems more festive around May 5. In Sept 16, 1810, Mexico’s 10 year war for independence from Spain started which is why we celebrate Mexican Independence Day on September 16. Mexico has made a lot of changes within the last 200 years. Yet in 2010, the country has little to commemorate as it battles corruption, human rights issues and drug violence.
Drug violence does not stop for celebration
President Felipe Calderon is celebrating Mexican Independence Day Sept. 16 with a $40 million extravaganza in Mexico City. USA Today reports that the two-day bicentennial bash features laser shows, fireworks and music. The Mexican government hopes the party will lift the people’s spirits despite a recession and bloody war against narcoterrorists. Although there is security in the festivities, many worry that drug cartels might attack. The crowd suffered a couple of years ago as grenades were thrown into a crowd by narcoterrorists. This was during a Mexican Independence Day festival happening in Morelia. There were seven deaths from it. Not only that, but an additional 132 individuals were injured. Reforma newspaper reports that drug violence has killed over 22,000 individuals since December 2006 when a military campaign on Mexican drug cartels started.
Bicentennial causes Mexicans to resign
A great many historians, politicians and artists all think that Mexico, the country celebrating with a traditional “grito,” or yell of “Viva Mexico,” is in severe trouble right now. The Washington Post reports that Mexicans are still reeling from the massacre of 72 illegal migrants from Central and South America in northern Mexico last month. After the killings, Mexico’s top immigration official resigned from the position. In a poll published last week in Reforma, 67 percent of Mexico City residents said they felt little or no excitement about the bicentennial. Nearly six in 10 said the cash spent is being wasted. Many have been getting e-mails asking that there be no participation in government-sponsored events. These are coming anonymously. In a 2006 election, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was defeated by Calderon and says he plans to have, near Calderon’s celebration, his own little party. Public events in other cities have been cance! led or scaled back, over fears of narcoterrorism.
Good news
Not all the news is bad, although Mexico supposedly resembles the drug-racked Colombia of 20 years ago if you ask United States of America Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. The Associated Press reports that over all, Mexico’s murder rate is 14 per 100,000, far below the average for Latin America. Upper-middle class Mexicans are much like their American neighbors, with iPhones, modern apartments, higher education and smaller families. Strong grass-roots movements’ deal with issues like crime, human rights and the environment which were unheard of 25 years ago. We appear to be in the worst recession since the 1930s. Even so, Mexico’s government has found a way to keep its finances stable. There is also an additional thing they have accomplished. A Supreme Court system is set up.
Find more info on this subject
USA Today
usatoday.com/news/world/2010-09-15-mexicobicentennial15_ST_N.htm
Washington Post
washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/14/AR2010091406672_2.html?wpisrc=nl_headline and sid=ST2010091406720
Associated Press
google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iyrGq2t_rHNPZAyOKqFdMrAad0yQD9I6Q4200
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