Mexico lit fest moves online to protest journalist killings

Source: Associated Press

Mexico lit fest moves online to protest journalist killings
Feb 6, 7:18 PM EST

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- A popular literary festival is abandoning its venue in Mexico's Veracruz state this year due to protest over the killings of journalists.

Hay Festival organizers say in a public letter to the state tourism secretary that the October event will be held online instead.

Friday's announcement comes in response to a call by hundreds of writers, intellectuals and journalists for the festival not to be held in Veracruz.

Many hold authorities responsible for recent killings and disappearances of reporters in a state that is among Mexico's most afflicted by organized crime.

The latest victim was Moises Sanchez, an activist and journalist in the town of Medellin de Bravo. Sanchez was kidnapped by armed men in early January, and his decapitated body was found three weeks later in a ravine.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LT_MEXICO_JOURNALIST_KILLED?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-02-06-19-18-34