Los Alegres del Barranco will face formal charges in a Jalisco court after being accused of glorifying crime during their now-infamous March concert in Zapopan. A judge in the Mexican state ruled on Monday that the band must remain in Jalisco and pay a hefty guarantee amid their criminal proceedings over the allegation.
The criminal proceeding affects all four band members, along with the group’s manager and concert promoter, and accuses them of glorifying the criminal activities of cartels.
The six people charged will have to attend weekly court appearances, pay a guarantee of approximately $15,500 per person accused, and they’ll have to stay in Jalisco for the following three months, according to Rolling Stone en Español. (The band was given an exception to perform pre-planned shows on May 30 and June 6 and 27.)
The band’s spokesperson, Luis Alvarado, defended the band to the press outside of the courtroom, calling for the group’s right to freedom of speech.
“All of us who tell stories, whether with a pencil or an accordion, have the right to do so. If those stories make someone uncomfortable, that shouldn’t take away our right to freedom of expression,” Alvarado said. “This process will take a long time, but we are strong. We will continue to fight for our rights. The group remains united, we are grateful to those who support us.”
The band was accused of making reference to Ricardo Ruiz Velazco, or “El Doble R,” during their corrido of the same name, and “El Del Palenque.” During a recent show, the band played an instrumental version of the song and displayed the lyrics onscreen like karaoke.
The band has continued to play its narcocrrodiso and obtained legal permission in Michoacán to freely perform their songs, despite state law that prohibits music that glorifies crime.
In early April, the band issued an apology after the United States State Department revoked the band members’ visas for displaying a visual of a cartel kingpin during the Zapopan show.
“As a musical group, it was never our intention to create controversy, much less to offend. We acknowledge that, as artists, we have a great responsibility to our audiences, especially to the new generations who follow our music,” the band wrote.
