Mexican Activists Decry 'Social Cleansing' During Preparations for Pope's Visit Clayton Conn - Television del Sur
go to original February 13, 2016

Mexican civil rights organizations and activists have publicly denounced the "social cleansing" that took place in Mexico City in the lead-up to the Pope’s visit.

According to teleSUR correspondent Clayton Conn, numerous organizations have signed on to a letter to the Pope telling him that state and federal authorities have removed homeless people and vendors from the streets in a clean-up operation ahead of his Feb. 12 to Feb. 17 visit.

The first pontiff from South America will visit four states across Mexico, including some of the poorest and most violent parts of the country. However, local activists claim that authorities have forcibly removed those who may tarnish the image of country before the pope arrives.

In particular, activists say that the Mexican government is using the pontiff's visit as an excuse to remove from urban centers across the country those "who suffer from extreme poverty and social exclusion."

Read the rest at Television del Sur

Related: Pope Francis Visits Mexico: Citizen Groups Petition Him to Address Multitude of Issues (Mexico Voices)

Related: Pope Says in Mexico That "Path of Privilege" Breeds Corruption, Drug Violence (EFE)

Related: Pope Issues Tough-Love Message to Mexico's Political Elite (Associated Press)

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