Explosions in Morelia

Each year on September 15th, tradition has it that people gather in front of the cathedral to reenact the grito, or the shout that played such a significant role in the events surrounding the independence movement of Mexico.

I arrived to Morelia on September 16, 2008, the day after the mile-marking event; however, this year there were attacks on the main plaza in the city's historical district around 11:00 p.m. when there were hundreds of people congregated to take part in the conmemorative festivities. As a result, some 8 people were killed and over 100 were injured.

In the following days while I was in Morelia, there were a number of candles lighted to remember those that died as well as to speak out against violence that government authorities have described as related to the war on drugs that President Felipe Calderón has waged on the country.

For more information on what transpired that evening, see the following article from BBC News: "Deadly Mexico national day blasts."

For those of you that speak Spanish, the youtube video "Estallidos en Morelia" documents a news report from a local news station out of Morelia. Even if you don't speak Spanish, it is still moving to see the images from the tragedy.