The security device of the Sagrada Familia expels 600 singers who were carrying Esteladas in the sheet music
The affected people report that they were cornered by the police outside the basilica without any explanation
BarcelonaMembers of various choirs who were to participate this Wednesday in the mass and the blessing of the Cross of Jesus Christ of the Sagrada Família
When they had not even finished singing the hymn to the Virgin of Montserrat, the agents began to make the singers descend from the choir lofts and directed them outside. As planned, the choirs were to descend from the choir lofts and head to the sides of the Nativity facade. There, with light tubes in their hands, they were to go in pairs to the facade to perform the choirs of the Escolania, who were acting as soloists. Finally, they were to raise the lights looking towards the Tower of Jesus Christ and, as the music ended, leave in stages. "But that didn't resemble at all what we had been rehearsing on Monday; we weren't at the correct exit. They had taken us to the other side of the facade without giving us any explanation," explains a singer.
In fact, this whole final performance, which was supposed to accompany the blessing of the new tower and was the culmination of an event presided over by the Pope that lasted about four hours, did not take place. "Since they made us descend from the choir lofts early, no one informs us of any change of plans or gives us any explanation. They just move us aside," states the same singer. Afterwards, and as RAC1 reported, the police moved them away from the basilica and contained them for fifteen minutes. "A lot of police started coming and they kept pushing us. We weren't expecting this at all, it's a giant lack of respect," the singer explained.
Junts and CUP demand accountability
The controversy has generated reactions in the political arena. And one of the first has been that of the former president and leader of Junts, Carles Puigdemont. In a message on X, he has demanded explanations and that responsibilities be assumed for the shameful act of repression against the singers and against the citizens who were carrying Esteladas.
The CUP has also raised its voice, in this case through the deputy Xavier Pellicer. The CUP member has described the expulsion of the singers as an authentic "witch hunt" against independence, pointing out that these are facts “inadmissible in a democracy”. The anti-capitalist party has registered a battery of questions on this matter in Parliament.