Violence leads Ciudad Juárez to cancel 16th of September festivities

For the first time since the Mexican Revolution, Juárez city government has canceled the festivities of one of Mexico's most patriotic holidays.

"First comes the safety of the population," said Juárez Mayor José Reyes Ferriz. "Because of threats, because of criminal activities that exist in Juárez, we don't want to take any risks."

To celebrate the Mexican Independence, thousands of Juárez residents flocked every year to city hall to attend the night festival. Mariachis, folk dancers and singers performed on the evenings of Sept. 15.

But a turf war between the rival Sinaloa and Juárez drug cartels has transformed Juárez into the murder capital of North America. Nearly 2,000 people have been murdered this year. Since 2008, about 6,200 have been killed. http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_15935968?source=most_viewed