Tens of Thousands March in Valencia to Commemorate Flood Victims

On October 29, 2024, tens of thousands of people gathered in Valencia, Spain, to commemorate the anniversary of devastating floods that claimed the lives of 229 individuals. Protesters voiced their anger over the regional government’s response to what has been described as one of Europe’s deadliest natural disasters in decades. Many demonstrators carried photographs of the victims, demanding accountability and the resignation of regional leader Carlos Mazon.

Calls for Accountability and Resignation

Among the crowd was Rosa Cerros, a 42-year-old government worker, who expressed her frustration alongside her husband and two young daughters. “People are still really angry,” she said. “Why weren’t people evacuated? It’s incomprehensible.” The protest highlighted widespread dissatisfaction with Mazon’s administration, which has faced significant criticism for its delayed response during the catastrophic flooding.

Reports indicate that text alerts warning residents about the impending disaster were not sent until the flooding had already begun. These messages were issued more than 12 hours after the national weather agency had declared its highest alert level for torrential rains. By the time many residents received the alerts, their streets were already submerged, and homes were flooding.

The floods affected 78 municipalities, particularly in the southern outskirts of Valencia, with one victim’s body discovered just days prior to the anniversary. Amidst the chaos, Mazon was photographed enjoying an extended lunch with a journalist, raising further questions about his leadership during the crisis.

Public Sentiment and Political Repercussions

The protest saw over 50,000 participants, according to the central government’s office in Valencia, although organizers did not provide their own estimates. Demonstrators held placards calling for Mazon’s resignation, with some even demanding his imprisonment. Under Spain’s decentralized system, disaster management falls under regional jurisdiction, yet Mazon, a member of the conservative Popular Party (PP), has argued that his administration lacked timely information to issue warnings sooner.

A recent poll published in El Pais revealed that 71 percent of Valencia residents believed Mazon should resign. Many of the deceased were elderly, with nearly half being aged 70 or older, raising serious concerns about the protection of vulnerable populations during emergencies.

Rosa Alvarez, who leads an association representing victims, attended the march to advocate for accountability regarding her 80-year-old father’s death. She criticized the regional government’s inaction, stating, “Every minute counted that day. When the alarm sounded, people had already drowned or were in real danger. All those deaths were completely preventable.”

Demonstrators have consistently protested against Mazon, often on or near the monthly anniversaries of the disaster. Political analysts, such as Anton Losada from the University of Santiago de Compostela, suggest that Mazon’s resignation could lead to early elections in Valencia, posing a significant risk to both the PP and its national leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo. Despite Mazon’s declining popularity, Feijóo continues to support him, hoping that a successful reconstruction effort will help the party regain public trust.

The anniversary protests in Valencia serve not only as a poignant reminder of the lives lost but also as a clarion call for better disaster preparedness and response in the face of natural calamities.