Depending on your point of view, a large sign posted in one upmarket Zapopan neighborhood either shows the disconnect between the haves and have-nots in the world, or is a legitimate attempt to improve security in the zone.
The banner on Colonia Vallarta Universidad, which was taken down by authorities earlier this week, gave this advice to residents:
- Don’t buy from ambulant vendors
- Don’t help beggars
- Don’t give food to migrants
A note at the bottom of the banner gave a clue as to its aim: “For a clean and secure neighborhood.”
As soon as it went up, the banner became the target of intense criticism on social media, with many posters calling it “discriminatory” and “racist.”
Zapopan authorities said the banner was not removed because of its content but because it contravened municipal ordinances regarding publicity material.
The Colonia Vallarta Universidad neighborhood association, responsible for erecting the polemic banner, has yet to make any comment to the media, apart from saying urgent measures need to be taken in the zone to combat growing insecurity.