Rich Mexican Apologizes For Beating Parking Attendant

Rich Mexican Apologizes For Beating Parking Attendant

In Mexico City, a wealthy Mexican man apologized for beating a parking attendant who refused to show him where to find the jack in his car, the latest in a class and race discrimination scandals that have strained outrage in Mexico.

Hugo Enrique Vera, the parking attendant, said Miguel Sacal, the man who beat him which happened on July 8 at a luxury apartment building, has agreed to apologize and pay damages for the beating. The beating caused Vera for two of his front teeth to be broken.

Vera didn't come to public attention until a video of the incident was posted on social networking sites. He stated "is grateful for the support of so many Mexicans." That support was visible, both among the general public and from authorities.

Governmental human rights and anti-discrimination officials said that apart from the assault itself, Sacal could face charges for discrimination. Sacal called the parking attendant a "cat" – insulting Mexican slang that means roughly "flunky.” Also he purportedly shouted "indios" at employees at his luxury apartment building in an exclusive Mexico City neighborhood, an insulting term meaning "Indians."

Discrimination for economic or racial reasons is against the law in Mexico City.

Vera filed a criminal complaint against Sacal charging him with causing injuries; Sacal is facing trial on the charges but is not in jail, because he got a court injunction against arrest – a tactic frequently used by wealthy defendants in Mexico to avoid jail.

Posted by Sophia Andrews on Friday January 13 2012, 4:33 AM EDT. Ref: Google. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Travel. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0