A group of students from High School of the State of Michoacán (Cobaem) generated controversy by presenting a choreography in which they pretended to be hitmenusing prop weapons and covered faces during a school event in the municipality of Contepec.
The presentation was part of the traditional “Sector Dance” contest, held last Tuesday, March 24, and its images quickly went viral on social networks, dividing opinions.
During the artistic act, the young people carried what looked like toy rifles and made movements that imitated armed confrontations.
Cobaem students in Contepec, Michoacán, went viral after presenting a choreography in which they pretended to be hitmen, using prop weapons and recreating murders of mayors. (Social networks)
The routine included posters with photographs of municipal presidents of Michoacan who have been murdered in recent years, such as Carlos Manzoformer mayor of Uruapan, Yolanda Sánchez Figueroaformer mayor of Cotija; Enrique Velázquez Orozco, from Contepec; César Arturo Valencia Caballerofrom Aguililla; inter alia.
In the choreography, when each of these photographs appeared with the legend “murdered,” the dancers pointed their guns at the images and pretended to shoot them. The narrative also included their names, their positions and the dates on which they were murdered.
The choreography culminated with the appearance of a student dressed as an angel, while in the background a fragment of an official message about the Michoacán Plan for Peace and Justice: “I would like to present to you the Michoacán Plan for Peace and Justice, which is based on a deep conviction that security is not sustained with wars, but with justice, with development and with respect for life,” was heard.
The public reaction, captured on tape, included applause and cheers.
According to local media information, the choreography was awarded first place in the local competition, but was left out of the state day after the controversy over the risk of apology for crime.
The dissemination of the video caused mixed reactions among the educational community and users on social networks. Some interpreted the presentation as an artistic denunciation of the reality of insecurity faced by Michoacanwhile others considered it inappropriate for an academic context due to the use of weapons, even if they were props.
The General Directorate of Cobaem expressed his disagreement with the inclusion of simulated weapons in the school event. In a statement issued on March 25, the institution stated: “The College of High School Students of the State of Michoacán (Cobaem) expresses that, as an educational institution, it disapproves of any manifestation that refers to violence or that could be interpreted as an apology for crime.”
The text also recognizes the creativity and enthusiasm of its students, but urges that artistic expressions not be taken out of context or misinterpreted.
“It is important to ensure that artistic expressions are not taken out of context or misinterpreted, avoiding generating messages contrary to the principles that we promote as an institution,” the statement says.
The institution reiterated its commitment to the comprehensive training of its students, based on respect, peace and healthy coexistence.
Until the closing of this edition, the educational authorities of Michoacan They have not issued any further statements regarding the events.
