229 thermal blankets and a journey to El Ventorro, citizen protest on the anniversary
229 thermal blankets laid out on the ground in Valencia's central Plaça de la Mare de Déu on Wednesday, the anniversary of the devastating floods last October, symbolized the pain of so many losses. The event was organized by Acord Social Valencià, a platform formed after the flood for the "collective reconstruction" of the region. At 1 p.m. on Wednesday, they held a memorial service followed by a walk through the city center, starting in the central square—located opposite the Palau de la Generalitat—and ending at the El Ventorro restaurant on Carrer Bonaire, the same route they say "Mazón took while people were drowning."
Acord Social Valencià, the organizing group, indicates that the protests will continue after the anniversary. They say there will be demonstrations on November 29th and December 29th, and on subsequent months. “We will continue the demonstrations at least every month until President Carlos Mazón and his Consell take responsibility. If that happens, and those who take over the government are more of the same, they will also have us to contend with,” the platform explains.
Read alsoThis will not be the only protest of the day. The same platform has also called for a rally this afternoon at 7:30 p.m. in the Plaça Major of Castelló de la Plana, where there was no demonstration last Saturday, unlike in Alicante or Valencia, where some 50,000 people gathered according to the Government Delegation (and 32,000 according to the Local Police).
Similarly, following the example of the previous demonstration, which started in two groups—one from Paiporta and the other from La Rambleta in Valencia—and converged at the Pont de la Solidaritat (Solidarity Bridge), a march with two departures has been organized for this afternoon. The first group will leave at 6:00 PM from Albal, heading towards Benetússer, and the second from Sedaví to the same location. There, in Plaça de La Xapa, a tribute will be held at 7:30 PM, featuring Valencian artists who have composed songs in recent weeks in homage to the victims of the DANA storm, including Feliu Ventura, Noèlia Titana, Miquel Gil, Pep Botifarra, and Vicent Torrent. Maria, who is also featured in the song, will be present at the same time at the State Tribute organized by the Government this afternoon at the Science Museum in Valencia, presided over by the King and Queen. Also playing will be Lladres de sobretaula by La Raíz, Zoo, Malifeta, Abril, Tito Pontet or Los Chikos del Maíz.
Read also Tens of thousands of people gathered on the anniversary of the DANA storm and chanted a unanimous cry: “Mazón resign!” Hector Sanjuan
Another event planned for this afternoon, which is already circulating on social media, is the meeting at 8:11 p.m. - when the ES-Alert sounded on October 29, 2024 - to go out onto balconies and windows to make noise with pots and pans "in remembrance of the victims one year after the alarm that the Generalitat sent late."
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