Anti-fascist protests disrupt Diada ceremony
Tàrrega’s National Day of Catalonia ceremony on Friday 11 September drew around 300 people to Plaça de Rafael Casanova, where tensions rose during the institutional floral offering after a citizens’ group protested the inclusion of far-right party Aliança Catalana. The event, organised by the town council and attended by a dozen civic associations and political groups, followed a traditional format with a homage dance by Esbart Albada performers and a floral tribute led by Mayor Rosa Maria Perelló and municipal councillors from Junts per Tàrrega, CUP, ERC and PSC.
Mayor condemns fascism as threat to democracy
In her address, Perelló called for unity and rejected hate, stating: “We must be firm: in the Catalonia we are building, there is no place for hatred. Let us firmly close the door to all forms of exclusion, racism and fascism.” She added: “Fascism is not an opinion, it is a threat to human rights and to democracy itself.” Her remarks were echoed by representatives from Junts, ERC, CUP and PSC, all of whom concluded their speeches with a joint call to “shut the door to racism and fascism.”
Protesters chant 'Out, out' at Aliança Catalana
Tensions increased during Aliança Catalana’s official participation, when a group convened by local platform La Soll unfurled a banner reading 'Far-right out of the programme' and responded to the party’s speech with whistles and chants of “Fora, fora” (Out, out). The demonstration occurred under the watch of a visible police presence, including five vans from the Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia’s regional police force. Despite the disruption, the event concluded peacefully with the crowd singing the Catalan national anthem, 'Els Segadors', conducted by Antoni Torres. The full ceremony, including floral offerings from cultural, social and sports organisations, was held at the monument to the 1714 martyrs, a longstanding focal point for Diada commemorations in the town.
Primary sources: dsp.interior.gencat.cat. Reported by tarrega.cat, segre.com, elmundo.es, Guillem RS, elperiodico.cat, Parlament de Catalunya, elpuntavui.cat, directa.cat, parlament.cat, Agencia EFE, Nova Tàrrega.
