Another hiccup for graffiti artists seeking to paint memorial work

THE KOLECTIVO group of artists striving to get permission to paint a commemorative mural on Panama’s Avenida de los Martires, has run into another roadblock.

They face not only the denial of the Government to make their tribute the patriotic deeds of January 9, 1964, but also a mayoralty rule against painting or scratching on public and private infrastructures. This, says La Prensa is the Mayoralty Decree No. 1466 of July 2010 , which states that it is forbidden to paint or stain public and private walls.

The bill punishes those who ignore the ruling is with fines ranging from $10 to $ 5000 , and for repeat offenders , to $10,000
Members of The Kolectivo Tuesday asked the capital's Mayor Roxana Mendez to better study the study decreesaying “Painted graffiti is not a crime ,but art” said Perla Perez , a member of The Kolectivo .
Ina meeting, the Mayor said that the doors were open for conversation.
Similarly, the Municipal Council yesterday created a committee that will meet Thursday, December 26 . It will have five councilors and the Kolectivo will be entitled to the courtesy room to present their proposal.
The Kolectivo also said they are still waiting for the director of the National Institute of Culture (INAC), Maria Eugenia Herrera, to respond to the request for permission to paint the memorial.