Punks distribute toys to children in need for Three Kings Day in Mexico City
“The bases of punk are mutual support and solidarity,” said José Luis Escobar, who created a project called Kings Punks decades ago.
MEXICO CITY — As a teenage punk 35 years ago, José Luis Escobar Hoyos wanted to show his mother that his lifestyle wasn’t just about dressing in chains and spikes and listening to loud, accelerated music.
So he started a project called Kings Punks, where he collected and distributed toys for children living on the street on Three Kings day, also known as Epiphany, when children in Mexico typically receive gifts from the three wise men.
“The bases 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 his effort. Sporting black t-shirts from their favorite bands, black boots and glimmering piercings, the punks handed out scooters, dinosaurs and other gifts to children in the streets of Mexico’s capital early Monday.
“Dealing with children and the way you get attached and can be supportive to them — that is priceless,” said Escobar, who is 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.”
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