A joint statement, signed by some twenty social, cultural, trade union, and political organizations, questions the choice of the town crier for Lleida's Festa Major. The signatories believe that the designation does not align with the representative and cohesive nature that an institutional act of such importance should have for the city.
“"The proclamation is one of the most relevant institutional acts of the festive calendar and should reflect the shared values, plurality, and social cohesion of all Lleida citizens."
The opposition from these collectives is not based on the athlete's sports career, which they respect, but on his public stances regarding the First of October referendum and his support for the application of article 155 of the Spanish Constitution. These opinions, according to the statement, place him in a position far removed from a significant part of Catalan and Lleida society.
The statement suggests that the choice of the town crier can be perceived as a political decision, as the athlete is a Spanish police officer and the designation was made, they claim, without broad and transversal consensus. The entities argue that this decision does not contribute to social cohesion and could deepen existing divisions.
For this reason, the entities have urged the Paeria de Lleida to reconsider the appointment and to open a more participatory and sensitive reflection process that takes into account the city's plural reality. The goal is to find a figure who can generate broad consensus and avoid controversy.
Among the signatories of the manifesto are organizations such as Òmnium Lleida-Ponent, ANC Lleida, CUP, CGT Lleida, Intersindical, USTEC, Jovent Republicà Lleida, and PAH Lleida, among other associative and pro-independence collectives from Ponent.
