Over fifteen trade unions and social movements gathered this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in front of Les Corts Valencianes to protest against the «budgets of destruction» approved by the PP and VOX in the Generalitat Valenciana.
During the protest, banners with messages such as ‘For budgets in the service of the people’ or ‘Fire to the PP budgets’ were displayed, and slogans like «Mazón resignation», «Neither forget nor forgive», or «Out fascists from the institutions» were chanted.
A procession was also seen, in which individuals dressed as Nazarenes carried a figure of the President of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, with the word ‘criminal’ written on his chest.
The spokesperson for the organizing entities, Ana Oliver, stated that after two years of Mazón’s government, «the resignation of the President of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, is not enough, not only because of what we know about the damage and lack of reconstruction, but because the Popular Party is going to legitimize budgets that go against all the social and civil rights of the citizens».
In statements to the media, she expressed that the Valencian Community is «worse than ever». «The 1,000 public education workers have not been replaced despite a court ruling, dependency lists have grown again, pharmacies are not being paid, and free legal aid either.»
She also criticized the reconstruction efforts as uncertain, «because you only have to walk through the affected cities and towns to see the reality.»
PUBLIC AND SOCIAL BUDGETS
On the other hand, the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) that attended the concentration explained that «these budgets are a direct attack on the working class, due to their ideological nature, cutting back on assistance to the most vulnerable people, those at risk of social exclusion, community work, equality, gender violence, and housing.»
The Secretary General of the Public Administration Union (SAP) of CGT València, José Antonio Lafuente, asserted that «the PP and the far-right have agreed on budgets that are incapable and irresponsible, with a lack of political will to protect the right to housing, while we are experiencing an increase in evictions and constant social tension.»
In addition, Lafuente pointed out that «these budgets are murderous, denying violence against women.» «They intend to dismantle any social safety net, reducing budget allocations and changing important laws such as the Inclusive Social Services Law, leaving guaranteed benefits like the Valencian income in limbo, reducing public places in nursing homes, the administrative simplification decree of Mazón’s government, with Susana Camarero, vice president and counselor for social services, at the helm, encompasses the entire sexist, xenophobic, and exclusive agenda of VOX,» Lafuente explained.
Concentrations were also held this Thursday in Alicante, at the Casa de las Brujas, and in Castelló, at the María Agustina square.
