Thousands of protesters have set to the streets of Spanish cities in order to call for the resignation of the Spanish government following their handling of the Coronavirus / Covid-19 pandemic which has brought the country to a complete standstill for more than two months.
Cars have been travelling in convoy through the streets of Madrid this morning, honking horns and flying Spanish flags out of their windows. The procession in Madrid, called by the right-wing Vox party, is part of a nationwide protest against the Spanish government.
Related: 47% of Spain goes to phase 2 on Monday while Madrid, Barcelona and Castilla y León go to phase 1
Protesters throughout Spain have been calling for the resignation of Spain’s PSOE Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, and Podemos Deputy Prime Minister, Pablo Iglesias, as a result their handling of the Coronavirus / Covid-19 crisis.
President of Vox, Santiago Abascal, spoke demonstrators via the EsRadio network, saying “I’m excited to talk to you, but I am not surprised. Spaniards always turn out at decisive moments. We are here to defend our freedom. The threat to the freedom of Spain is being led by an illegitimate government that has become a criminal government, one that is incapable of protecting its people and is directly responsible for the worst management of this crisis on the whole planet. Let us never forget what they have done to us. Have no doubt that we will take them to the courts. They know it and they are afraid of your freedom, which is why they are trying to intimidate us. […] Spain will prevail and we will get our normality back, it won’t be a new one or an old one. We will recover our hopes in the future for our children.”
Protests brought the streets of cities throughout Spain to an almost complete standstill.
Valencia
While most regions in Spain requested permission to move to phase 2 of Spain’s de-escalation plan, the community of Valencia chose to abstain. In her statement during the week, the Valencian Community Minister for Health, Ana Barceló, confirmed that she would not be asking to move to phase 2 out of prudence (“por el sentido de prudencia”).
Related: Valencian Community to continue in Phase 1 until May 31
The decision to remain in phase 1 for another week caused anger and criticism from some of the community’s most senior local mayors, including Luis Barcala (Alicante), Eduardo Dolón (Torrevieja), Toni Pérez (Benidorm), and Emiliano Bascuñana (Orihuela).
Related: PP mayors demand explanations for not moving to Phase 2
“Valencia also claims freedom!”
? ¡Valencia también clama LIBERTAD! ???
? #CaravanaFaseLibertad pic.twitter.com/WsPofZN4Y8
— vox_es (@vox_es) May 23, 2020
Barcelona
According to the local police in Barcelona, the demonstration was attended by around 500 vehicles. The procession started at Plaza Francesc Macià and ended outside the central government building.
Barcelona has just been granted permission to proceed to phase 2 of the de-scalation plan.
Related: Madrid, Barcelona, and Castilla y León authorised to enter Phase 1 of Spain’s de-escalation plan
“Barcelona is also underway. Thousands of Spaniards collapse the city center fed up with communists and separatists.
? Huge popular outcry against the Government of lies and its #EstadoDeAbuso throughout Spain.”
⭕ Barcelona también se pone en marcha. Miles de españoles colapsan el centro de la ciudad hartos de comunistas y separatistas.
? Enorme clamor popular contra el Gobierno de la mentira y su #EstadoDeAbuso en toda España.
? #CaravanaFaseLibertad pic.twitter.com/3WSXWBbeAE
— vox_es (@vox_es) May 23, 2020
Seville
“Historical mobilization also in Seville.
Public address loudspeaker Thousands of vehicles overflow the streets of the Seville capital to demand the resignation of the social communist government.”
⭕ Histórica movilización también en Sevilla.
? Miles de vehículos desbordan las calles de la capital hispalense para exigir la dimisión del Gobierno socialcomunista.
? #CaravanaFaseLibertad pic.twitter.com/JxWpa4DIV1
— vox_es (@vox_es) May 23, 2020
Cordoba
“For a Government:
➡ That does not lie
➡ That does not ruin
➡ That looks after your health”
?? #CaravanaPorLaLibertad #Cordoba
?? Por un Gobierno:
➡ Que no mienta
➡ Que no arruine
➡ Que vele por tu salud#ProtejamosEspaña #FaseLibertad pic.twitter.com/7TKYLw0YpB— VOX Córdoba (@VoxCordoba) May 23, 2020
Badajoz
“The #CaravanaFaseLiberty collapses Badajoz from end to end.
Flag of SpainFlexed biceps The people united against the Government of unemployment and misery.”
? La #CaravanaFaseLibertad colapsa la Badajoz de punta a punta.
??? El pueblo unido contra el Gobierno del paro y la miseria. pic.twitter.com/vN7AdqWbYd
— VOX Badajoz (@VOX_Badajoz) May 23, 2020
Marbella
Earlier in the week there were protests in the center of Marbella.
