Uruguay
Luque Municipal Board Approves Restrictions on Party Events in Public Spaces
The measure was passed with Cartista votes 12 days before the municipal elections. According to ABC Color, the Liberal opposition denounced it as an attempt to block a campaign closing event for Manuel “Manolo” Achucarro.
The Luque Municipal Board approved this Tuesday an ordinance that limits the use of municipal public spaces for party activities, including launch events, candidate presentations or campaign closings, as well as rallies and gatherings with stages, platforms or other structures.
According to ABC Color, the measure was approved by seven Cartista councilors after the Liberals walked out of the session in disagreement with the item being considered on the floor, without prior debate or committee report.
According to that outlet, the approval came 12 days before the municipal elections and the opposition says it is aimed at stopping an event scheduled for this Sunday by the Liberal candidate for mayor, Manuel “Manolo” Achucarro, in the Mcal. Francisco Solano López square, in downtown Luque.
The ordinance covers squares, parks, promenades, streets, avenues, green spaces, amphitheaters, sports facilities and other publicly owned municipal property. It also prohibits proselytizing that involves the exclusive or temporary occupation of those places, the placement of posters, banners, flags and placards without authorization or in violation of electoral law, and activities that obstruct circulation.
It also establishes that no party, movement, alliance, candidacy or political organization may reserve or use a municipal public space exclusively for this type of activity.
ABC Color noted that the drafters justified the initiative on the preservation of public spaces, order, cleanliness, safety, free circulation and the tranquility of residents.
The ordinance makes clear that it does not ban demonstrations and exempts civic, cultural, educational, community, religious and institutional activities that are not partisan or proselytizing in nature. It also provides that official events of the Municipality of Luque or other public institutions, as well as those linked to national holidays and historical, cultural or community events, will not be considered partisan political acts, provided they do not constitute election propaganda.
Another article sets out liability for violations for those who organize, promote or carry out the activities or cause damage to municipal property. In the case of party activities, the municipality may require identification of the person responsible for organizing the event.
Sources
About this note. Written by El Notero with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on what was published by the cited outlet. El Notero did not do original reporting on this event.
