Clash between Joan Garriga (Vox) and pro-independence demonstrators at the tribute to the victims of 17-A

BarcelonaNine years after the attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils, the call from various groups to clarify the unknowns of 17-A still remains, but at Monday's tribute, controversy erupted due to a clash between the spokesperson for Vox in Parliament, Joan Garriga, and pro-independence demonstrators convened by the platform Exigim Responsabilitats and the ANC. Specifically, the event that was meant to commemorate the victims ended in a brawl in the middle of Plaça Sant Jaume, with a shouting match directed at the far-right and Garriga's attempt to grab a black pro-independence flag, albeit unsuccessfully.

How did this tug-of-war happen? Garriga went straight to the group of independentists, located behind a fence and with the presence of Mossos, to reproach them for the insults during the media attention he had given just minutes before as spokesperson for Vox. "You are rude and unprofessional, today was not the day," the leader of Santiago Abascal's party told them, according to informed sources, criticizing the interruptions suffered. But this only further ignited the atmosphere and the tug-of-war erupted. The shouting that had been heard a moment before escalated, and Garriga even tried to take a black flag from one of the attendees at the sparsely populated rally. However, it didn't last long, and after emboldening himself towards his detractors, he made his way and left, leaving behind this moment of tension that occurred after the event.

Following the controversy, Garriga stated on X that "separatism has once again staged a grotesque spectacle," "using an event intended to honor the victims to harangue" Vox representatives and "disrespect them." Thus, he reported being called "Garriga terrorist," although informed sources also add the epithet "traitors" and the usual cry "fuck Spain." Garriga also comments that he did not engage in any "provocation" and that his party only intended "to remember and honor the victims and point out the inaction of those responsible," referring to "Islamism" which Vox denounces as "advancing."

On the other hand, several of the pro-independence demonstrators reiterated their criticisms against "the murderous State," from which they demand "responsibility," given that they link it directly with the attacks. It is true that during the event they expressed these criticisms with signs and mostly in silence, despite some sporadic shouts, but the clash occurred afterwards, during the media attention and immediately after.

This is not the first time controversy has erupted at the tribute event for the minutes of silence, presences, and absences; four years ago, when the minute of silence was broken by shouts from some sovereignist demonstrators, the then president of the Parliament, Laura Borràs, was at the center of criticism for having greeted some members of the group.

From remembrance to investigation

Beyond the controversy, Barcelona has remembered the victims with their families, victim associations, institutions, and emergency services with a minute of silence. This year it was held in Plaça Sant Jaume instead of La Rambla due to works. The President of the Parliament, Josep Rull, was the highest authority present at the event, which also included the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, the Minister of Interior, Núria Parlon, and the delegate of the Spanish government in Catalonia, Carlos Prieto, along with party representatives. Javier Martínez, father of Xavi, the child who died in the Rambla attack at only three years old, has denounced that the victims feel "alone".

In the same vein, the leader of Junts, Carles Puigdemont, has stated that the victims' families "deserve the right to know the whole truth related to the case, and unfortunately they have not had it easy". "We will never forget the proven links between the Spanish intelligence and police services and the imam who was the mastermind of the operation", he reiterated on X.

Words similar to those of the CUP: "Nine years later, we continue to demand clarity. There are still too many unanswered questions," she stated on social media. For her part, the general secretary of ERC, Elisenda Alamany, also stressed that they do not forget the victims and that they work "for peace, justice, and reparation." Far from the political debate, the President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, commented on X that they keep "the memory of the victims alive" and prescribed "more coexistence, democracy, and peace" in the face of "hatred and barbarism." On the other hand, the leader of Aliança Catalana, Sílvia Orriols, who did attend the tribute in Barcelona this year, reproached "three protesters" who, as she was leaving, told her "we don't want you, Orriols," which proves, in her opinion, that "even at a moment like this they don't know how to behave." But politically, Aliança has distanced itself from Junts and the CUP and stated on social media that "Catalonia continues to have not eradicated the hotbeds of Salafist radicalization" nine years after the attacks. In parallel, the PP deputy Nacho Martín Blanco also asserted that he left the event horrified by the shouts of "fascists" from some pro-independence attendees.