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 News Around the Republic of Mexico | October 2005 
Saddam Invades Capital Billboards
 Wire services/El Universal
| | Key chains decorated with pictures of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein for sale in downtown Amman. (Ali Jarekji/Reuters) |
A civic group is using images of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden and Mother Teresa to urge courteous behavior in Mexico City, prompting disbelief on Tuesday.
The newspaper Reforma announced, "Saddam Hussein gives classes on civic behavior in Mexico City," in a front-page headline, accompanied by a photo of the ad.
The campaign was designed by Muevete por Tu Ciudad roughly translated as "Do Something for Your City" a nonprofit devoted to improving everyday behavior on the streets of Mexico City, where cars drift through red lights and some police can be paid to look the other way.
On one street-level billboard, Saddam warns passers-by, "You can generate chaos: Don't you double park." Mother Teresa yells out, "Don't give bribes to the devil!" Saddam and seven senior members of his regime go on trial Wednesday to face charges they ordered the killings of nearly 150 people following a failed attempt on Saddam's life.
More posters are planned using the faces of U.S. President George W. Bush, Gandhi and Hitler, according to Muevete representative Patricia Lara.
She said about 50 billboards throughout Mexico City are being rented to meet the group's mission of promoting conscientious behavior.
"It's meant to make the people more responsible," Lara said.
She said the campaign's designers weren't available to talk about why they decided to use public figures like Saddam and Bin Laden. |
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