Barcelona Remembers Victims of 2017 Terrorist Attacks: A Call for Accountability and Support
On Saturday, Barcelona marked the seventh anniversary of the tragic terrorist attacks that took place on August 17, 2017, in La Rambla and Cambrils Tarragona. The somber remembrance event unfolded at Pla de l'Os on the Barcelonan promenade, where a minute of silence was observed, followed by a floral tribute to honor the victims. The ceremony commenced at 10:00 AM and was attended by the families of the victims as well as several significant institutional representatives, including Barcelona’s Mayor Jaume Collboni, President of the Parliament Josep Rull, and Minister of the Interior of the Generalitat Núria Parlon, among others.
Notably, the event took place at the exact location where the terrorists' van was halted after the horrific hit-and-run incident seven years ago. To show respect, the front row of attendees was reserved for victims and their families, while political figures took their places in the back rows. After the moment of silence, attendees participated in a floral offering, laying down carnations and white roses, along with a figure of Iron Man, as Cant dels Ocells was performed by cellist Marçat Ayats. Members of various security forces, including Mossos d'Esquadra and Guardia Civil, also contributed to the floral offering.
The double attack that occurred in Barcelona and Cambrils left a devastating impact, resulting in the loss of 16 lives and injuring over a hundred individuals. The memorial service was complemented by a parallel protest outside the tribute's perimeter, where approximately twenty activists silently demonstrated with banners bearing messages like "Murderous state" and "We demand accountability," highlighting a call for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attacks.
Robert Manrique, a former advisor to the Terrorism Victims Attention and Assessment Unit (UAVAT), criticized the ongoing neglect towards terrorism victims and urged the necessity for reopening an office dedicated to assisting them. He called for the development of an assistance protocol as well as a specific Catalan law aimed at addressing the needs of victims. Manrique underscored that Catalonia holds one of the highest numbers of terrorism victims in Spain, asserting that while acts of remembrance are crucial, sustained support for victims should be a year-round commitment.
This tragic anniversary not only serves as a moment of reflection for the lost lives but also emphasizes the urgent need for systemic change in supporting victims of terrorism. As Barcelona remembers those it lost on that fateful day, the voices demanding accountability and assistance grow louder, calling for a more compassionate approach to addressing the long-term impact of such violence.
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