Update: Siguatepeque Bans Halloween Parties as More Honduran Towns Restrict the Holiday
The city order follows a Santa Rosa de Copán ordinance citing religious values and a bill in Congress that would bar Halloween activities from schools.
See where this is ›SIGUATEPEQUE, Honduras —
The city government of Siguatepeque, Honduras, on Friday, Oct. 30, banned parties, celebrations and other Halloween activities within its jurisdiction, La Prensa reported. The measure was announced through the city's Departamento de Justicia Municipal, the municipal justice department, and applies to residents, event organizers and owners of businesses.
See where this is ›The city said the goal is to preserve order, tranquility and the well-being of its people. It did not say what penalties violators would face, according to La Prensa, which did not report any church involvement in the decision.
Santa Rosa de Copán issued its own ordinance dated Oct. 23, barring anyone from organizing, promoting, decorating for or holding Halloween activities in public and commercial spaces, Tu Nota reported. That order argues such celebrations harm religious values, traditions and local cultural identity, and violators could be fined under the city's fee and fines code, the Plan de Arbitrios. La Tribuna reported that municipal justice director Harvin Díaz signed it.
See where this is ›One business there has already complied. Balam Ku Mayan Club, a disco in Santa Rosa de Copán, canceled a “Noche de Cuentos y Leyendas de Honduras” event set for 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, and asked guests not to come in costume, Tu Nota reported. The club said it would stay open during its usual hours.
La Prensa said Comayagua has also announced restrictions. In Congress, Deputy Dunia Jiménez has proposed barring public and private schools from organizing or promoting Halloween activities, including parties, festivals and costume contests. Watchman News reported earlier that she said the bill aims to promote ethical and moral values and Christian principles.
What we don't know yet: How Siguatepeque will enforce its order has not been reported, and no opponents of these measures were quoted in the reports we reviewed. It is also not known whether Congress will vote on the school bill. We could read La Tribuna's report only as a search summary.
