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| Gamonal in flames |
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| So; not just a few disatisfied yoof then! |
The background is
simple; after hard years of economic crisis many are without work,
especially the younger generation, many of whom have never had a
proper job; there are families surviving on one small pension. We are
told loudly and often by national and local government that there
isn’t money for vital social services like health and education.
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| The original issue; 8 million misspent |
The issues are simple;
el
pueblo,
the people of Spain are fed up with their bankers and politicians.
Here, the local council wanted to spend millions to reshape the main
road as it goes through Gamonal, the city’s main working class
barrio.
It has been the one straw too far and this highly conservative city
has exploded in a popular protest.
On Friday the local
committee in charge of the campaign cancelled a march and then
dissolved itself, worried about possible extreme elements and
misbehaviour. A spontaneous and peaceful gathering from the
neighbourhood took place in front of the anti-disturbios,
riot police drafted in from Valladolid. At ten o’clock some stones
were thrown at the police and they responded with a charge. The rest
of the night saw small groups of young people destroy all the fences
and barriers surrounding the area of the road works, rubbish
containers were burnt and the windows of several local banks were
smashed.
As is the way in
Spain, things were quickly organised and a timetable set; 6am keep
the bulldozers out; 12am public meeting to discuss the issues; 7pm
demonstration.
Tonight on the street
things were very peaceful although the tension was noticeable; a
march took place around the area and then went to the police station
to demand the release of those young people arrested Friday and
Saturday night. This was el
pueblo,
all the people, old and young, mums with pushchairs; a genuine
demonstration that everyone has had enough. Humour was everywhere;
social networks are bursting with gags and jokes. Many people around
me tonight were joking that it’s a great fiesta;
a way to meet all your friends and what’s more it’s free, no need
to even buy a beer.
Returning to Gamonal
from the police station, there was a large crowd on both sides of the
street, surrounding the anti-disturbios,
who were guarding what remains of the road works. The crowd were
vociferous, demanding that the police leave; serious chants of, “You
are the disturbance here!” mixed with, “While you’re
patrolling, your wife is f******”. All the political issues were
aired too. Although the noise was pretty scary and augmented by
frequent and very loud explosions of fireworks, there was no
violence. Everyone I spoke to agreed the presence of so many press
and television cameras was responsible; without them another police
charge would have occurred and people would have been hurt.
Rumours were flying as
people made their way home that as from midnight anyone on the street
would have to present their ID card, which must be carried by law; in
effect a curfew.
Here’s a link:
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