The Morena Political Party Takes Another Stand Against Narco Ballads in Mexicali

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

The Mexicali City Council plans to revive—once again—the ban on music that promotes or glorifies crime at events held in public and private venues, and even proposes sanctions and appearances before the Municipal Judge for those who organize such events.

This Monday, January 26, committees of the Mexicali City Council intend to analyze a reform initiative to the Regulations for Public Shows and the Police and Good Government Ordinance, with the aim of prohibiting and imposing sanctions against those who promote this type of music. Although it doesn’t specifically mention the term "narco corridos," the Mayor's rhetoric has been against this popular musical genre.

The 20-page document obtained by ZETA outlines the reform initiative to articles 28, 98, and 101 of the Regulations for Public Shows; and articles 8 and 10 of the Police and Good Government Ordinance, where it explicitly prohibits and imposes sanctions on practically any promoter who organizes events in public or private places.

In the first part of the initiative, article 28 of the text clearly states the prohibition of:

“In the presentation of public shows and entertainment, it’s prohibited to exhibit, transmit, display, perform, and/or reproduce music, videos, images, or any other similar material that promotes a culture of violence or glorifies crime or the perpetrators of criminal acts.”

The reform also modifies the other two articles mentioned above, granting the City Council the power—regardless of fines—to sanction, suspend, and shut down an event where music that glorifies crime is performed.

The Municipal Ordinance and Police and Good Governance Regulations, specifically in Article 8, establishes the cases where sanctions warrant immediate referral to the Municipal Judge.  A ​​paragraph has been added that includes promoters and those involved in events who decide to:

“Transmit, exhibit, display, perform, or reproduce music, videos, images, or any other similar material that promotes a culture of violence or glorifies crime or the perpetrators of illegal acts in public shows or entertainment regulated by the Public Entertainment Regulations.”

Those who fail to comply with this measure will be subject to a direct fine of up to 45,000 pesos, according to the UMA (Unit of Measurement and Update) values ​​at that time.

This means that any event promoter or musician who organizes a performance where music and videos that glorify crime are played or reproduced may be punished by the municipal government, a policy that is far removed from the approach of president Claudia Sheinbaum, who established—at least in her narrative—that it’s forbidden to forbid. 

This issue could be voted on in committee this Monday and subsequently brought before the City Council for approval.

Source: Zeta Tijuana