TF1
28-02-2013, 14:08
Last Saturday, we attended the 23F anti-corruption demonstration in Sta Cruz. The city was one of over 80 cities throughout Spain which held these demonstrations. In Sta Cruz, like just about everywhere except Madrid, the demonstrations were peaceful with very high attendance (estimated well over 1 million participated nationally). There were all types of demonstrators, from young political groups, families with young children, workers, and elderly citizens. The national police were present outside the Parlament, and did block off a few roads, but generally kept a respectful distance, perhaps as they were outnumbered by 400 to 1.
Local and national TV crews were there filming the demonstration. However, hardly any footage or reporting of this event was broadcast, except for the violence in Madrid, which I'll describe shortly. (Only La Sexta gave the event basic coverage). The largest joint anti-corruption demonstration Spain has ever seen was virtually ignored by the media. The international media which did cover it got it all wrong, partially due to shoddy journalism, mainly due to sensationalism. They described "violent socialists demonstrating against austerity", whilst the true description should have read "Spanish victims demonstrate against state corruption".
About the Madrid incidents; two details have been brought to my attention by friends and family who were there. A young, female reporter (extended family) who cannot weigh more than 45kg, and was wearing her "PRENSA" marked jacket and her official press badge, was bludgeoned over the head by national police just for being there. She had to receive emergency treatment in hospital. The other incident (from a member of the national police who is also extended family); the forces were ordered by their superiors to attack the demonstrators, regardless that those demonstrators were not posing any threat. When the police later questioned their superiors, they were told that the order came from "above".
So, ignoring the pathetic press coverage of this event, judging by my own first hand experience and talking first hand to several trusted sources in Madrid, I'm firmly at the conclusion that the press is being seriously manipulated on both local and national levels, the government is ignoring the public's will, and the police are reverting back to pre-1975 rolls where they protect their political superiors, not the public. These demonstrations took place against the corruption which directly or indirectly affects each and every one of us who live here. We are all paying, some with their jobs, others with their homes.
What do forum members believe can be done to bring these matters into the open?
Local and national TV crews were there filming the demonstration. However, hardly any footage or reporting of this event was broadcast, except for the violence in Madrid, which I'll describe shortly. (Only La Sexta gave the event basic coverage). The largest joint anti-corruption demonstration Spain has ever seen was virtually ignored by the media. The international media which did cover it got it all wrong, partially due to shoddy journalism, mainly due to sensationalism. They described "violent socialists demonstrating against austerity", whilst the true description should have read "Spanish victims demonstrate against state corruption".
About the Madrid incidents; two details have been brought to my attention by friends and family who were there. A young, female reporter (extended family) who cannot weigh more than 45kg, and was wearing her "PRENSA" marked jacket and her official press badge, was bludgeoned over the head by national police just for being there. She had to receive emergency treatment in hospital. The other incident (from a member of the national police who is also extended family); the forces were ordered by their superiors to attack the demonstrators, regardless that those demonstrators were not posing any threat. When the police later questioned their superiors, they were told that the order came from "above".
So, ignoring the pathetic press coverage of this event, judging by my own first hand experience and talking first hand to several trusted sources in Madrid, I'm firmly at the conclusion that the press is being seriously manipulated on both local and national levels, the government is ignoring the public's will, and the police are reverting back to pre-1975 rolls where they protect their political superiors, not the public. These demonstrations took place against the corruption which directly or indirectly affects each and every one of us who live here. We are all paying, some with their jobs, others with their homes.
What do forum members believe can be done to bring these matters into the open?