Mexican flag raised at Philadelphia City Hall

 Philadelphia officials are helping to promote Mexico Week in the city by raising the Mexican flag at City Hall.  

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and Mexican Consul Carlos Giralt Cabrales raised the flag together Monday.

One reason he restored Philadelphia’s status as a “sanctuary city” was because of immigrants from Mexico and elsewhere, Kenney said after the green, white and red flag was hoisted. 

“I will tell you as the Irish and the Italians and the other ethnic groups have evolved in this city and this country and moved to the suburbs, and emptied out our churches in South Philly, the people who have come to replace those folks are the Mexicans,” Kenney said.

Cabrales said he appreciated the mayor’s actions.

“It gives to us the Mexican community in Philadelphia a sense of belonging in the city of Philadelphia.  We believe in Philadelphia, we belong in Philadelphia, we are part of Philadelphia,” he said.