Thousands of demonstrators filled the streets of Valencia on Saturday. They were demanding the resignation of Generalitat President Carlos Mazón over his administration’s handling of the recent DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos) crisis.
Protesters, many of whom were visibly affected by the storm’s devastation, marched from Valencia’s City Hall towards the Palau de la Generalitat. They chanted slogans like “Mazón, resign!”, “Shame!” and “We are covered in mud, you are covered in blood”. Upon reaching the Palau de la Generalitat, protesters smeared mud on its walls and painted messages such as “The President to Picasent [Valencia prison]” while also placing black ribbons as symbols of mourning.
Massive turnout
The protest, organised by over forty nationalist left-wing associations, saw an enormous turnout of thousands of residents. These came from some of the hardest-hit areas, such as Alfafar and Torrent. Many marchers carried black ribbons to mourn the deceased. Others trudged muddy boots, a testament to their ongoing struggle to recover from the damage caused by the catastrophic storm. Organisers had called for a silent and peaceful march to honour the victims and those who couldn’t attend due to ongoing clean-up efforts in their homes and neighbourhoods.
By early evening, the turnout had already surpassed all expectations. Valencia’s City Hall square and surrounding streets were choked with people, leading to significant bottlenecks along the planned route. The head of the protest, led by residents of Alfafar, took over an hour to begin moving due to the density of the crowd. Amid the chaos, some attendees expressed frustration at the disorganised route, which struggled to accommodate the sheer number of demonstrators.
Many arrived by foot from nearby affected areas. Their clothes still marked by the efforts to clear away the mud and debris left behind by the DANA. On the regional commuter trains, packed with attendees heading to the protest, the atmosphere was already charged. There were thousands of calls for Mazón’s resignation echoing through the carriages.
Flowers for the fallen
In a solemn display, many protesters paused to leave flowers, boots, and photographs at key points along the march route. These tributes were meant to honour the lives lost and the ongoing pain of those still dealing with the aftermath of the storm. The procession moved slowly but with a clear message: the citizens of Valencia want accountability and action, not just rhetoric.
Mazón, already facing criticism within his party, has yet to respond directly to the calls for his resignation. However, the sheer size of the demonstration sends a strong signal that the public’s patience is running thin. Furthermore, this was one of the largest in recent memory