City of El Paso will install Nativity scene at San Jacinto Plaza
The City said Monday it will install a Nativity scene at San Jacinto Plaza this weekend.
For years, a Nativity scene was part of the Plaza’s Christmas display, and when the plaza closed, the Nativity scene moved to Cleveland Square with the rest of the Christmas display.
When the Christmas display moved back to San Jacinto Plaza, the Nativity scene did not go with it.
“We wanted something very modern that actually fit the new design and patterns. We wanted something bright and festive,” said said Dionne Mack, with the Quality of Life Department.
After the story aired Friday, ABC-7 has been flooded with viewer emails and messages in protest of the decision.
Monday, Mack told ABC-7, “The City of El Paso will install the nativity scene that’s been displayed at San Jacinto Plaza as part of a longtime tradition. The nativity scene will be visible as you drive on North Mesa. We hope everyone will have a chance to visit the Plaza and see the spectacular lights and decorations on display through January 8.”
A large majority of El Pasoans are Catholic, and many viewers expressed their disappointment in the decision to not have a nativity scene.
“I’m happy to report the city informed me it never really made the decision not to get a Nativity scene, and they are working to get a new one and it will be up (soon),” El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz said.
