CARTEGENA, Columbia—Though the mayor of Cartagena made it public in the media that LALExpo event was banned, organizers said the show will still go on.
“The governor of Bolivar and the mayor of Cartagena violate the right to work, freedom of sex, freedom of expression,” said adult performer Esperanza Gómez. “They must abolish child prostitution and fight corruption. I do not like politics, it's dirtier, more degenerate and corrupt than the same porn industry that carries that fame.”
LALExpo organizers said the mayor’s legal powers do not give him the authority to ban the event, because doing so would violate the constitutional rights of all Colombians working in the adult industry.
The mayor’s media pitch, however, has instead helped grow the name of LALExpo in Colombia. Thanks to his statements against the event, most of the press has been positive for LALExpo. The most important national media of radio, press and television, even international media such as CNN, mentioned LALExpo worldwide; the news also appeared in the German and Austrian press, in media such as GMX Österreich and Salzburg.
To date, more than 4 million people have been informed about LALExpo, its attendees and its sponsors; something organizers say favors each of the participating companies. Important companies such as Caracol Channel, RCN Channel, El Tiempo Newspaper, Semana Magazine, El Heraldo Newspaper, SoHo Magazine and Antoquia Channel, among others, asked to attend and cover the exclusive event.
The latest publication of Semana magazine shows what is happening in Colombia with LALExpo. The country's most influential people have commented on the issue, and while their opinion is divided, it is clear that more people support the event than those who reject it.
“This is a business event, where only serious companies dedicated to the industry for adults are involved,” said Alejandra Omaña, journalist and porn actress. “There we talk about trends, how to regulate the problems they mistakenly believe we support (child pornography, abuse) and how to work together to give better guarantees to those who are part of the industry.”
City representative William Mattson added to the discussion, stating: “The mayor has no legal powers to prohibit the realization of the Latin America Adult Business Expo 'because it would violate the right to privacy and free development of personality of its attendees and organizers.”
LALExpo and his team of lawyers have reviewed point-by-point all their legal structure, making sure to be fully armed. Organizers also have the strong support of the Convention Center that will host the event.
For more, visit LALExpo.com.
