According to the vendor, the eviction occurred after she expressed her dissatisfaction with an extraordinary fee requested for maintenance work.
A vendor at the San Cristóbal de Las Casas Candy and Crafts Market denounced the removal of a space designated for prayer and veneration of an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, which, she claims, had been in place for approximately 15 years without causing conflicts among vendors.
Socorro, a vendor at the market, stated that administrative staff, members of the board of directors, and other vendors removed a railing and several benches surrounding an image of the Virgin, a space used by visitors and vendors to sit and perform acts of faith. According to her account, the items were removed without prior notice and placed in another part of the building.
The complainant stated that she has documentation proving authorization granted by previous administrations for the installation of the railing and benches.
She also stated that the religious space was frequently occupied by tables and chairs from a nearby business, a situation she claims was reported on several occasions without receiving a response from the market’s administrative authorities.
According to the vendor, the removal of the furniture occurred after she expressed her dissatisfaction with an extraordinary fee allegedly requested from the vendors for maintenance work. She believes the action could be retaliation, although this version has not been confirmed by those involved.
Given this situation, the vendor requested the intervention of state authorities to review the case and determine whether the religious space should be reinstated. Meanwhile, the incident has raised questions among vendors about respecting spaces designated for prayer and expressions of faith within public gathering places.
Source: alertachiapas
