'Anti-Oruam Law': Bill to ban crime advocacy at concerts advances in São Paulo

The Constitution and Justice Committee of the São Paulo City Council approved, this Wednesday 14, a bill that prohibits the promotion of organized crime or drug use at concerts.

The final word on the text, authored by councilwoman Amanda Vettorazzo (União), will be up to the plenary.

In the CCJ, Thammy Miranda (PSD), Dr. Milton Ferreira (Podemos), Janaina Paschoal (PP), Lucas Pavanato (PL) and Sansão Pereira (Republicans) voted in favor of the proposal. Silvia from the Feminist Caucus (PSOL), Silvão Leite (União) and Alessandro Guedes (PT) defended the rejection.

The objective is to prohibit the hiring of shows, artists and events open to children and young people that involve expressions of support for organized crime or drug use.

The project was nicknamed “Anti-Oruam Law” , in reference to the artist Mauro Davi dos Santos Nepomuceno, son of Marcinho VP, leader of the criminal faction Comando Vermelho.

Councilwoman Silvia da Bancada Feminista stated that this proposal is unconstitutional as it violates freedom of expression and the prohibition of prior censorship.

“It has a catch, a protective veneer for children, but it is prejudiced and discriminatory towards the culture of the outskirts and favelas, mainly,” he said. “No one wants to defend crime and drugs, but the content of the bill drives away certain types of music.”

For the PL rapporteur in the CCJ, Sansão Pereira (Republicans), the text defends young people, in line with the Statute of Children and Adolescents.

“When hiring shows, artists or events organized by the municipal government and allowing access to minors, there must be a clause in which the contractor agrees not to promote ideas of crime or drug use, and fines may be applied,” he argued. “Minors should not be encouraged to engage in criminal conduct.”