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Diari de Catalunya

Controversy over Police Charges at Badalona's May Festivities

The municipal opposition criticizes the actions of the Guàrdia Urbana after a concert, while the government defends the intervention.

Generic image of emergency lights reflecting on wet asphalt in a city square at night.
IA

Generic image of emergency lights reflecting on wet asphalt in a city square at night.

The actions of the Guàrdia Urbana in Badalona during the May Festivities have sparked significant controversy, with the municipal opposition denouncing a disproportionate use of force.

The intervention by the Guàrdia Urbana of Badalona against a group of people in Plaça de la Plana, after a concert during the May Festivities, has triggered a wave of criticism from municipal opposition groups. Parties such as ERC, En Comú Badalona, and Guanyem Badalona have accused the mayor of an “authoritarian drift” and “disproportionate use of force”.
The festival committee has circulated a video on social media showing the officers' baton charges and has denounced an “increase in repression against the festival and its organization”. This situation has intensified the debate on security management during public events in the city.
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"The mayor cleared the square with a disproportionate use of force."

an ERC representative in Badalona
Meanwhile, the leadership of En Comú Badalona has directly pointed to the mayor, referring to the “authoritarian drift” that, in their view, characterizes his mandate. From Guanyem Badalona, the deployed officers have been labeled as the mayor's “political police”, and an aggression against “young people from organizations” participating in the celebrations has been denounced. This group has demanded the immediate appearance of the security councilor and the opening of an internal investigation to “determine responsibilities within the Guàrdia Urbana”.
The municipal government, led by the Popular Party, has defended the police action. City hall sources explained that, around two in the morning, after the concert ended, “noise continued” and “complaints from nearby residents” were received. According to the council, the Guàrdia Urbana intervened “asking the young people to leave”, but a small group “refused” and adopted “disrespectful attitudes” towards the officers. The city council added that the police acted “according to their protocols” and that three reports were filed, with no arrests made.
The Sip-Fepol union has issued a statement in defense of the officers, rejecting accusations of “violence”, “repression”, or “abuse of power” made by political parties and groups. The union has affirmed that the Guàrdia Urbana “has acted at all times under criteria of proportionality, legality, and responsibility” and has described as “absolutely irresponsible and intolerable” attempts to criminalize the work of public security professionals.

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