Anyone who has spent Halloween in the big American cities knows that the celebration is a huge game where almost anything goes: going to work in costume, dressing up as the funniest character, watching horror movies with friends, secretly eating the children’s candy, scaring neighbors with decorations that look like they came out of a Hollywood studio.
But in some cities across the country and in other parts of the world where Halloween is celebrated, it’s not quite like that. There are rules to be followed.
Jordan must be at the top of the list when it comes to stricter regulations regarding Halloween celebrations.
The country’s law completely prohibits Halloween, and the U.S. embassy advises Americans to cover their costumes completely when in public. Violating this can result in punishments, including imprisonment.
A city called Bellville in Missouri has age limits for the celebration. Any child above eighth grade cannot go out for the famous trick-or-treat.
In Chesapeake, Virginia, there used to be a similar rule, and those over 14 were even threatened with imprisonment if they participated in the activity. The rule was revised in 2019 in response to public backlash.
Masks are prohibited in many places. In Dublin, Georgia, anyone under 16 is not allowed to wear a mask in public. The same rule applies in Belleville, Illinois, but for those under 12.
New York has maintained this rule since the 1800s, while in Walnut Creek, California, teenagers and adults need special permission and a sheriff’s license to cover their faces.
In California, private businesses have the right to completely ban costumes on their premises.
In the UK, police costumes are prohibited (according to the Police Act of 1996). The punishment? You could face six months in prison and a fine, even if you had no intention of causing any harm and were unaware of the law.
Clowns have been a source of anxiety long before the ‘Killer Clown’ – but it has undoubtedly worsened since then.
Vendargues, a French village, has completely banned clown costumes. From October 31 to November, characters are prohibited – unless they have special permission – at public festivals.
In Bedfordshire, UK, the police also issued a statement: “No one will be tolerated inflicting harm on others during Halloween, whether by intimidating and threatening them, or causing them criminal harm. This behavior will be taken seriously, and you risk having a criminal record.”
The state of Alabama has legislation that prohibits people from dressing as religious clergy throughout the year – a rule that likely has more effect on Halloween. The prohibition is not limited to Christian priests but applies to religious ministers of any religion, with fines or even up to a year in prison.
And in Brazil, where Halloween is becoming increasingly popular?
The mayor of the municipality of Pontes e Lacerda, in Mato Grosso, Alcino Barcelos, has banned Halloween parties in the city’s public schools. The mayor justified his decision by saying that the celebration “does not belong to our Brazilian and national culture.” Barcelos also indicated that the party could be harmful to “children of evangelicals, Catholics, Spiritists” and says that “school is a place to learn.”
So what do you think about these rules?
Source: the Standard and UOL