According to Valencia protest news, tens of thousands filled Valencia’s streets calling for Carlos Mazón’s resignation, blaming his administration for an inadequate response to the floods that devastated the region and took over 220 lives.
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Valencia accounted for 212 of these deaths, with the remainder reported in nearby regions such as Castile-La Mancha and Andalusia.
According to Valencia protest news, approximately 130,000 people took to the streets in Valencia to demand accountability, while other cities in Spain held similar protests.
Protestors voiced anger, calling for the resignation of Valencia’s regional government head, Carlos Mazón of the conservative People’s Party and Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of the ruling Socialist Party.
Many protestors insist that Carlos Mazón step down, accusing him of failing to act on early warnings from the national weather service.
The government allegedly delayed sending mobile alerts even after the flooding began. Protesters, some chanting murderers and holding signs saying, “Our hands are stained with mud, yours with blood,” believe the lack of timely action cost lives.
According to Valencia protest news, Protestors demanded a better-organized disaster response system, more coordinated local-government actions and quicker mobilization of resources.
As Valencia protest news reports, the protests escalated into confrontations between protestors and riot police. Protesters attempted to approach Valencia City Hall leading to police using batons to push back small groups.
Objects including chairs were thrown at police by a few protesters. The City Hall was smeared with mud as a symbol of government negligence, while broken windows and minor fires marked the city’s streets.
Although largely peaceful, the protest saw heated confrontations between protesters and riot police leading to physical altercations.
Objects hurled at the city council building caused minor damages and some protestors clashed with police officers near City Hall, with police resorting to batons and shields to maintain order.
Some protestors dumped muddy boots outside government buildings and plastered walls with mud, representing their frustration with what they describe as a mud-stained leadership.
Residents accuse the administration of issuing flood alerts too late, claiming that warnings only came at 8 p.m. on October 29 when nearby towns were already experiencing severe flooding.
Many protestors say that the authorities failed to respond to the early warnings of impending floods leading to unnecessary fatalities and damage.
According to Valencia protest news, In defense, Carlos Mazón claimed that he wasn’t notified in time by official water-monitoring bodies.
However, reports indicate that Spain’s weather agency had issued a red alert by 7:30 a.m. on October 29, well before Carlos Mazón’s administration informed the public.
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According to Valencia protest news, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced an aid package of $11.6 billion to support flood victims and fund recovery efforts including cash assistance to small businesses and local governments.
The central government committed to covering 100% of cleanup costs for local governments and 50% of infrastructure repair expenses in affected regions.
There are tensions between the regional government, which handles civil protection and the central government, which Mazón accuses of insufficient communication.
According to Valencia protest news, reports suggest that central authorities attempted to reach Carlos Mazón multiple times prior to the crisis.
Thousands of volunteers have gathered in Valencia’s southern suburbs to aid in cleanup and rescue efforts. Although regional authorities eventually requested additional support, it took days for the reinforcement of thousands of police and soldiers to reach the area.
Protesters argue that Carlos Mazón’s alleged negligence worsened the impact of the disaster resulting in avoidable deaths and massive property damage.
Calls for Mazón’s resignation are primarily driven by accusations of poor leadership and delays, with protestors demanding new leadership to rebuild and prepare for future crises.
Carlos Mazón defended his actions, suggesting that he respected the protests but claimed he would have acted sooner had he been informed earlier about the situation.
The floods are among the deadliest in Spanish history, with over 220 deaths reported. Approximately 80 people are still missing, with search and rescue operations continuing along Valencia’s shores and in submerged areas.
According to Valencia protest news, Over 8,400 soldiers are actively participating in rescue efforts including divers who search the Mediterranean coast near Valencia.
Hashtags such as #ValenciaProtests and #CarlosMazonResign trended in social media.
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