Homeless advocates condemn video showing degrading acts
It's not clear who produced the video.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Homeless advocates on Monday condemned a video posted on the Internet that showed homeless people in Puerto Rico engaging in degrading acts, such as eating cat food or wearing a G-string, in exchange for money.
The 45-minute video depicts 18 homeless people performing acts for money, but those filming the video and handing over the money are not shown, several nonprofit groups said.
One of those filmed vomits off screen after eating a hot pepper. Another is shown running around in a G-string and grabbing his buttocks while music plays in the background.
"Independent of what may be the condition of a homeless person, that does not give anyone the right to violate their rights. ... This brings me a lot of pain and sadness," said Luz Davila, a former homeless woman who now works in a nonprofit group helping those on the street.
It is not clear who made the video. A phone call and e-mail to Teflon Studios, which is listed in the credits of the film, went unanswered. Homeless advocates said the video had been posted on the studio's Web site, but it did not appear there later Monday.
Puerto Rico's Family Department also denounced the display.
"We repudiate the content, the connotations and the concept of using the homeless for this type of practice," said Felix Matos, department secretary.
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