Las Vacilonas has publicly denounced feeling "harassment and discrimination" by "colleagues" and has announced that it will not participate in the 2021 Carnival. Accusations that have also caused an exchange of statements between carnival groups.
In a first statement published through social networks, Las Vacilonas point out as the first reason for their break the "resting and disconnecting to recharge batteries for the 2022 contest." However, they later state that to this is added the "disappointment."
"Vacilonas has always been a group that has dedicated itself solely and exclusively to working on its contest. We have never criticized anyone's style and we have never wanted to do harm. However, unfortunately we have felt harassment and discrimination during this year by many 'colleagues': memes, insults on stage, insults in the stands, lies, criticism for our sexual orientation, recordings at the doors of our premises, etc," exposes the murga, which in view of this states that has decided to "take a step back", hoping that its absence "alleviates the atmosphere that many people have created with the intention of harming this family.
In addition, Las Vacilonas also point to the health situation due to Covid-19. "We do not believe that it is the best situation for us or for the rest of humanity. We prefer not to put anyone's health at risk and also not to be overwhelmed in a situation in which we could not defend our work with complete normality," says the murga, which apologizes to its fans and sends a message of condolence to the families affected by the coronavirus.
Nine murgas defend themselves against the accusations
Other nine murgas of the Carnival, specifically Los Simplones, Los Tabletúos, Los Desahuaciado, Las Enralada, Las Inadaptadas, Las Infiltradas, Los Titi Roys, Los Intoxicados and Las Pijoletas, have come out to defend themselves from the accusations made by Las Vacilonas.
"We are a collective that on top of the stages sings lyrics in favor of equality, social rights, and we fight to defend our people and any collective that has suffered in their own flesh any of these crimes. If there is something that has always characterized us is that we all go together and it would never occur to us to harass or discriminate against any colleague. We are all equal, beyond our awards, successes and defeats," they point out.
Thus, these nine murgas show a "capital surprise" for the statements of Las Vacilonas. "If there is something that we have been clear about in this collective is that we are all colleagues. With different opinions and different ways of doing things, without a doubt, but always fighting for the same goal: to make the Carnival of Lanzarote great and offer our people a quality show that represents them and that is up to what the people of Conejero deserve," they add.
In addition, they affirm that every year they celebrate "numerous" meetings and that they "never" knew of "that feeling" of Las Vacilonas. "At no time did their representatives make us participants in that feeling or that state of which it is spoken," they point out. "In fact, we continued to share opinions in which we were the representatives of all the murgas," add these nine groups, which highlight that Las Vacilonas
These nine groups take the opportunity to show their "interest" in working and preparing the 2021 Carnival, after pointing out that they held several meetings between June 17 and July 2. "We all know that it is going to be difficult and, of course, we will strictly comply with the relevant health indications. For us, everyone's health is non-negotiable and is undoubtedly our most precious asset and therefore, as long as the rules allow us, we will be at the foot of the canyon," they conclude.
"The word harassment is strong and serious but it is the sad reality"
After that, Las Vacilonas has returned to speak on social networks insisting on its accusations and affirming that "several people" did know their "discomfort and concern for the harassment." "We are aware that the word harassment is strong and serious, but it is the sad reality that we have felt," they affirm.
Even, the murga goes further and points out some examples of the "harassment" denounced, affirming in the first place that, after the verdict of the final of murgas of this year, "several components went up on stage and were received with some shout of 'Screw you', while their genitals were pointed out." Likewise, they affirm that "weeks after the contest", their director and her wife were "rebuked by two cars to the cry of Vacilonas, screw you dykes!"
Las Vacilonas also assure that the door of their premises was this year "forced", that it has also been the object "on several occasions" of "showers of eggs" and that, "two weeks before the contest", also appeared "a graffiti" insulting them for their sexual condition. "These are some of the situations experienced this year, apart from memes, insults, etc"., they add from the group, from where they have published some images about the events denounced in social networks.
"Writing a statement saying that we are all colleagues and that we all go together is fine, but our reality outside of those meetings has been very different", continue La Vacilonas, who nevertheless clarify that "they do not accuse any specific group."
"We have the feeling that in the murga world situations are being normalized that no group should endure and that, some, are not clear that in this hobby we are here to have fun and not to make war. From Las Vacilonas we will always respect the style of each murga, its sexual orientation, etc., because we believe that everyone makes a great effort to make the Carnival of Lanzarote continue to grow," adds the murga, which concludes by pointing out that, with this statement, it wants to "settle" this controversy.
