Anyone who puts their own spin on the Mexican national anthem or sings it incorrectly could be imprisoned for up to four years, according to a new proposal from a Morena party member of the Chamber of Deputies.
Deputy Ana Elizabeth Ayala from the state of Sinaloa, has proposed harsher penalties for people who misinterpret the national anthem or misuse the national flag.
Published Wednesday in the parliamentary gazette, Ayala’s proposal aims to reform the Federal Penal Code and a law already on the books. The senator feels that current legislation is ineffective in preventing misuse.
“There are established singers who, in mass events, do not know the verses of the national anthem or sing it poorly,” wrote Ayala, 47, in naming “guilty” performers such as Pablo Montero, Jorge “Coque” Muñiz, Ana Bárbara, María León and Ángela Aguilar.
Last month, Mexican singer Danna Paola drew criticism after singing the national anthem prior to a Canelo Álvarez boxing match in the wrong key.
The Mexico City native sang in A-flat major, despite the Law on the National Shield, Flag and Anthem stating it must be sung in C major.
“It is strictly prohibited to alter the words or music of the national anthem and perform it in whole or in part with compositions or arrangements,” states Article 39. “Likewise, singing or performing the national anthem for profit is prohibited.”
Based on the current law, Paola could have been reprimanded, arrested for up to 36 hours, fined up to 900,000 pesos (US $52,358) and imprisoned for up to one year.
Ayala’s legislation would increase the arrest time maximum to 72 hours, allow for much higher fines and add a prison sentence of up to four years. The legislation as proposed could have resulted in a fine of up to 2.74 million pesos (US $159,395) for Paola.
Mexico’s national anthem dates back to 1854, but some stanzas have been removed for political reasons. Nowadays, Mexicans sometimes sing the banned stanzas or modify the words or music with their own interpretation.
As for the flag, Ayala pointed out the case of a sports fan known as Caramelo, who has been seen at various events wearing a Mexican flag jorongo (poncho) that places text within the flag. Others alter the flag with messages, incorrect facts or color changes, Ayala noted in her proposed legislation.
With reports from El Universal and Milenio
too harsh and what if they have never heard this law…
like people who in Mexican live in remote villages
Hmmmm, singing the national anthem in the “wrong” key. Not all voice ranges can handle a piece in a particular key. The highest note might be out of their range, for example, so they drop down a key or more. Hard to imagine that a musician was involved in making this punishable. Beside most people would NEVER hear the difference if the key was changed from ‘C’.
You are bang-on with your comment. It’s ridiculous.
I am a singer and move from the original key often for the reason you suggested.
i would wager that many of Mexico’s most famous singers would have a hard time singing the anthem in C-major. Every singer has his or her own best key for any particular song. Of course, some can sing in several keys, depending on their range, but that particular key is undoubtedly out of the range of many singers, with some notes too high and/or some too low for them to reach. I, for instance, cannot sing Mexico’s anthem in C-major, but I can handle it in keys between F and A.
Perhaps, if a piece is outside of your range, you should not accept the responsibility. As a society, especially in the US, citizens are selfish and disrespectful, the US seems to be exporting this vitriol and lack of ability to see any point of view that doesn’t agree with their narrow minded opinion. Just because something doesn’t “fit” in YOUR interpretation, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be so. I love that Mexico is trying to curb some of the American influence and maintain their identity. The world does NOT need a Jr. America. If you fail to protect your history and Native Pride, you lose your identity. Look at America, a Country totally lost. The Constitution is barely hanging on. The Supreme Court is politicized. Politicians freely and openly speak poison, such as they will put bullets in Mexicans
who don’t follow AMERICAN law – it’s psychotic! The very institution the Country was founded on is being rejected, criminals are running the government (all parties), a President attacked and instigated an attack on it’s own government and the tradition of a peaceful transition of power – a traitor – is again running for President. Their politicians want to control reproductive rights while letting guns kill more children than abortion EVER will. I am 100% behind Mexico doing anything it can to lead and show that things like tradition and honor are still important. Hold people accountable before there is no longer any accountability to be had… by anyone. Viva Mexico
Absolutely loco! Haven’t they anything more important to do?
Really? How about enforcing motorcycle helmet laws or many others similar, common-sense issues that can help people? The Morena party is too focused on top-down, emotional edicts. I don’t see them accomplishing their fourth transformation. I see anti-democratic behavior