An S. O. S. from the Jewish community of Hermosillo, in the Province of Sonora, was received here by Jewish leaders and made public in the Jewish press today.
The appeal relates that in Hermosillo, anti-Semitic activities are assuming dangerous proportions for the entire Jewish population. Anti-Jewish propaganda is being conducted by a group of individual Mexican merchants who wish to get rid of Jewish competitors. This group has succeeded in winning the support of the local Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to a resolution adopted by the Chamber of Commerce obligating its members to boycott Jewish firms, an official announcement was also issued by the Chamber that those members who do not support the anti-Jewish boycott will be expelled.
The governor of Hermosillo, in an effort to help the anti-Jewish merchants in their plans to get rid of the Jews, has raised the tax rates for Jewish merchants only. Jewish firms are compelled by the governor to pay twice as much in taxes as non-Jews.
A warning was issued by the anti-Jewish merchants to the Jews of Hermosillo that if they do not leave the town voluntarily “direct measures will be taken” to force them out.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.