After a video went viral on social media showing an alleged foreigner forcibly removing a construction worker who was resting on a sidewalk in Mazatlán, the man involved decided to give his version of events. His name is José Ignacio Lizárraga, and he maintains that he is neither a foreigner nor did he act violently.
“I never insulted anyone. I just asked him not to block the door to my house,” he declared in an interview with the local media outlet Noroeste. In the video, he is seen removing the worker known as Jorge, while following him for a few meters, a scene that sparked a wave of criticism and protests against him.
Mutual Accusations and Neighborhood Conflict
José Ignacio explained that for years he has had problems with the construction company working on the corner of his home. He noted that the employees often eat in front of his house, leaving trash in his yard, and even sleeping on the sidewalk, blocking his way.
“Once, they even cemented my wife’s car. The company had to compensate her,” he mentioned, as a precursor to the anger he has built up against the construction project.
According to his account, the incident with Jorge was a direct consequence of these constant complaints. “I simply asked him to move from the door. I didn’t yell or use harsh words, as he claims,” he insisted.
“They made me look like an aggressive gringo.”
A social media user, who recorded and shared the video, accused him of being an American, which further inflamed internet users. However, José Ignacio clarified that he is Mexican, and this was also confirmed by the Mazatlán Public Security Secretariat (SSP).
“The video was taken out of context. They portrayed me as a foreigner humiliating a Mexican, and that is far from the truth,” he expressed.
Protest with grilled meat and eggs at the door
Citizen anger quickly took to the streets. On Wednesday, April 23rd, around 2:00 p.m., dozens of people showed up in front of his home to protest. They threw eggs at his door, played music, and even organized a barbecue as a symbolic act of protest.
Passing motorists joined the protest, honking their horns and shouting slogans. Faced with the growing tension, members of the Ministry of Public Security responded to the scene to ensure the demonstration proceeded peacefully.
Despite the uproar, José Ignacio stated that he will not take legal action against the protesters: “I don’t want fights. I just want the truth to be known,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the debate on social media continues, and the case continues to generate divided opinions between those who defend him as a neighbor fed up with abuse and those who point to him as responsible for an unjustified attack.
Source: quepasamazatlanenlinea
