Round Town News

MORE THAN 10,000 people took part in last week’s protest against public sector cuts in Alicante, according to organisers. Led by a group of Samba style drummers, the protest started at the city’s train station and soon gathered momentum as it made its way through the city streets. RTN was at the demonstration with more than 30 parents and teachers from San Miguel de Salinas; all of whom are worried for the future of their jobs and the education of their children.

But it wasn’t just teachers represented at last week’s protest, although they far exceeded other groups, there were nurses, doctors, emergency medical staff, hospital and health centre workers, union representatives and supporters as well as municipal workers; all wanting to voice their opinions on the severe cuts that have been handed out by both the central government and the Valencia regional government. And groups came from all over the province including Elche, Guardamar and San Vicente del Raspeig.

HATRED
“We are tired of cuts to our public services,” commented one protestor, “tired of the threats to our schools, hospitals, health service and emergency services.”  The protest took nearly two hours to make its was through the city and at the end a rally was held where each of the unions that were represented spoke about the dire prospects for the region if these cuts continue to bite in the way that they have been. There was also much hatred towards the proposed state bail out of the bank Bankia, and who could blame them?

“We are all suffering,” said the representative of the CCOO union, “we are all here together to make our voices heard. We say NO to the cuts and NO to the government spending our money bailing out Bankia.” He added: “Everyone, young and old, must get behind this movement. The more people who protest, the louder we get! We are all colleagues in this fight.” The leader of the UGT, another union involved in the protest, commented: “Quality public services are our right, now for us and in the future for our children and grandchildren. The public will not surrender!”  

FUTURE
“The real impact of the cuts will not be seen until the next school year, from September,” commented one of the teachers that RTN was accompanying, “but the demonstrations will continue because this should not and cannot be allowed to happen. The future of Spain and its children is at stake.” It was interesting to note that although British expats make up a huge majority of the population of the Alicante province, some of them with children of school age, they were rather conspicuous in their absence at the protest. RTN would like to know why that is…If you have a comment, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.