Punks distribute toys to children in need for Three Kings Day in Mexico City


MEXICO CITY — Thirty-five years ago, when he was a teenage punk, José Luis Escobar Hoyos wanted to show his mother that his lifestyle wasn’t just about dressing up in chains and spikes and listening to loud, fast music.

So he started a project called Kings Punks, where he collected and distributed toys to children living on the streets on Three Kings Day, also known as Epiphany, when children in Mexico usually receive gifts from the Three Wise Men.

“The foundations of punk are mutual support and solidarity,” the 50-year-old said Sunday night as the gift drive was in full swing.

Over the years, many volunteers have joined their efforts. Wearing black T-shirts of their favorite bands, black boots and shiny piercings, punks handed out scooters, dinosaurs and other gifts to children on the streets of Mexico’s capital early Monday.

Volunteers known as The Punk Kings load a truck to distribute toys, clothing and piñatas to underprivileged children in celebration of Three Kings’ Day in Mexico City on January 5.Eduardo Verdugo/AP

“Dealing with kids and the way you get attached and can support them, that’s priceless,” said Escobar, known locally as El Picos. “As we tell people: we don’t want diplomas, recognition or anything. We are punks and that’s why we do it.”

In more recent years, Escobar has expanded beyond the places where he knows Mexican families are living on the streets to also include some of Mexico City’s migrant camps.

Wrestling wrestler Peter Punk (black tights and green and white mask) also joined in, engaging in brief sidewalk wrestling matches at each stop. Volunteers also hang a piñata filled with candy for kids to hit.

One of the volunteers is the shoemaker Marcos Grande. This year he brought seven pairs of boots to give away.

“The satisfaction of the children, bringing them a gift, a joy because many children do not have it, that is what satisfies, taking it to where sometimes it does not reach, where they do not have the wise men but now here they are. friends, the group, the punks,” he said.



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