'Public Mirror' returns to the doors of a Catalan institute

The Government's pilot plan to introduce plainclothes police officers in educational centers to ensure coexistence already had its first collateral damage. As in the most heated years of the Procés, Susanna Griso's program returned to the doors of a high school in Catalonia to assess the experiment. The high school that had the honor of receiving such a fortunate visit was Eugeni d'Ors in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat. The reporter interviewed Àlex, a student wearing a t-shirt with the legend "Out with the occupying forces from the Catalan Countries". The student described this initiative as a “racist and stigmatizing attack on the center”. He explained, in a good tone and with politeness, the complexity of the high school, with a majority of students of immigrant origin, and the social vulnerability problems of the families. The boy demanded more mediators, psychologists, and educational staff instead of police officers. He regretted that the officers are not perceived as positive figures by the students, because they often stop them on the metro or are part of eviction operations in the neighborhood.Immediately, Toni Cantó, a regular panelist, jumped in, praising the police's role as figures of protection and conciliation. Together with the presenter, they defended the dissuasive and mediation role they could exercise. Meanwhile, Àlex stood waiting, listening to the rest of the adults on television contradict him. Mariló Montero, who was part of the panel, intervened disdainfully, as if scolding the boy: “I'm seeing an attack by this kid on the Mossos!”, she warned with concern. Meanwhile, Àlex waited in silence. A teacher from Eugeni d’Ors who contacted the newsroom of ARA reported that the student, who voluntarily accepted the request to attend Antena 3, waited during recess to make the connection. In principle, he was only supposed to intervene to explain his point of view. But when they started interviewing him, classes had already begun again, and he had to enter the classroom late. This detail did not worry Espejo público so much. Griso gave way to Toni Castejón, spokesperson for a Mossos union, who, with a cocky attitude, replied to the boy: “I've been amazed by the kid's testimony. He's called us racists twice. I don't know if he's a minor, but I'm not going to answer him”. This police officer's testimony was priceless. It should be submitted to the Department of Education as proof of the pilot plan. “I'm going to give you a lesson: the Mossos don't evict”, the police spokesperson reminded him with a tense and defensive attitude. Luckily, the police have to provide a mediation service and show a gentle touch with the students in the centers. If they are high schools with high conflictivity problems, these characters are just what's needed to foster a good atmosphere and show off this skill when dealing with adolescents.