La Derecha Diario Unbelievable: LGBT collective announces legal proceedings against Santa Cruz activists
They were upset with the Santa Cruz activists who did not allow them to vandalize downtown Santa Cruz
LGBT activists indicated that they will file legal actions against a group of activists from Santa Cruz. The announcement was made in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art. Spokespersons for the collective stated that the Ombudsman's Office has already filed a formal complaint.
They also stated that the process will seek criminal responsibility for alleged "hate speech". The warning heightened tension in downtown Santa Cruz.
The defendants are neighbors and volunteers who repainted a crosswalk white after it was vandalized with rainbow colors. They claim that they were only defending heritage spaces.
They deny having uttered homophobic insults. They argue that the original intervention did not have any municipal permit. They state that the legal response is disproportionate and only seeks to intimidate the population that tries to exercise its freedom of expression.
Christian Égüez, one of the organizers of the "Pride Revolution" exhibition, declared that he will take the case "to the last instance". He said that his collective doesn't need authorization to intervene in public space.
He questioned the "lack of openness" of some sectors in Santa Cruz, whom he did not hesitate to label as "archaic and decadent". He stated that his actions should be considered urban art and a legitimate form of protest. He reiterated that they will continue with their acts of vandalism in the city.
The population of Santa Cruz rejected LGBT vandalism
The rainbow crosswalk lasted only one night. Within a few hours, it appeared covered in white paint with the phrase "Santa Cruz is to be respected".
The activists who restored the crosswalk indicated that this type of LGBT vandalism only demonstrates the lack of tolerance of these groups. Although they demand equality, they refuse to accept that citizens defend the integrity of their streets and institutions.
At dawn on Friday, the façade of the Civic Committee for Santa Cruz displayed offensive graffiti. One of the texts read "Long live Santa Cruz, gay capital of Bolivia".
The images quickly circulated on social media. Users denounced vandalism against a regional symbol. The collective Mujeres Creando claimed responsibility for the action.
The public expressed outrage over the graffiti. Civic spokespersons described the incident as "provocation." They demanded swift investigations.
They requested greater municipal control over the historic center. They insisted that diversity should not justify damage.
Égüez replied to those criticisms and called his detractors "archaic." He maintained that Santa Cruz should resemble cities in Brazil and Argentina where, according to him, LGBT street art is normal.
He called for more murals to "make realities visible." He acknowledged that his discourse generates rejection. He considers controversy a necessary step.
The Santa Cruz city government funds vandalism
Additionally, Égüez asserted that the Municipal Secretariat of Culture supports the exhibition. He stated that officials asked them for "forceful" actions.
He said that the City Hall will not require additional permits. The version was not confirmed by the municipal press office.
Meanwhile, the Ombudsman's Office issued a statement. It condemned acts and hate speech against the LGBTI+ population.
It also recalled that the Constitution protects free artistic expression. It urged the municipal government to guarantee the safety of the exhibition. It called for similar incidents to be avoided.
The reported volunteers insist on their defense. They argue that they only restored a crosswalk.
They state that their action was peaceful. They reject the label of "radical groups" with which some local progressive media outlets have described them. They say that they will appear before the courts if summoned.
On Friday, the collective once again vandalized the crosswalk. In an act in which they intended to stage a false flag attack to criminalize self-convened citizens. They repainted the crosswalk with rainbow colors.
They painted the façade of the Civic Committee
Councilman Juan Carlos Medrano criticized the situation. He declared that he will not allow disrespect toward the city or its institutions.
Medrano recalled that Santa Cruz welcomes all Bolivians. He called for unity. He requested immediate dialogue.
María Galindo, leader of Mujeres Creando, defended the graffiti as "political art." She admitted that they seek to provoke debate.
She assured that they do not fear legal proceedings. She pointed out that freedom of expression includes harsh criticism. She invited civic leaders to a public discussion.
The conflict demonstrates a complicity between government institutions and this type of LGBT collective that only seeks to impose its ideology on the city. On the other side is the population of Santa Cruz and self-convened citizens who demand respect for local symbols and their institutions.
More posts: