La Paeria denies support to the Sahrawis and meets with the Moroccan consul
Since the CUP councilor Pau Juvillà put a yellow ribbon on a window on the third floor of the country house and this led, later, to the loss of the position of deputy of the people of Catalonia and member of the table of Parliament, the situation has worsened. You have to be careful when showing which signs and which flags on the facade of this great institution. This week, the Paeria’s decision to not authorize the celebration of the anniversary of the declaration of independence of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, this Tuesday, February 27, has caused consternation among some entities in Lleida. In view of the fact that in the city there has been an active group of solidarity with the Sahrawi people for years and in view of the fact that the Paeria itself has participated in solidarity programs and is a historical member of the Catalan Coordinating Council of Solidarity with the People Sahrauí, it is not understood, at first glance, how afraid Paeria is now with the fact of making this solidarity fraternity visible. In the last three years, the commemorative event consisted of raising the flag of the Sahrawi Republic and lighting the building at night with the colors of the flag of this nation. In general, as usually happens with the numerous and varied displays of solidarity and cooperation with international just causes that reach the municipal world, the activity went quite unnoticed and there were no complaints or controversies.
It wasn’t like that this year. The Paeria has not allowed the event and has left the lights without color. The local government has argued this in front of the media on the grounds that municipal facilities cannot be ceded for any international political matter and that it is a new commemoration, with no tradition in the city. The reason makes a lot of internal sense, but it does not agree with the reality of an institution that has, precisely, councils and commissions dedicated to international cooperation and civil rights, symbolic motions have regularly been approved in support of certain peoples and just causes of the world and consuls and ambassadors are often invited to protocol events and friendly meetings that have more political display and mutual recognition than concrete work.
In fact, a few days ago, on February 15, the Moroccan consul met with the father in chief, Fèlix Larrosa. You will tell me, perhaps, that Morocco is a state and, therefore, that is not doing politics. The Sahrawi republic, however, is also recognized by the UN, in its case as one of the state entities that have not yet been able to be established due to colonialism. A shameful burden that the Spanish PSOE government, in a recent strategic turn, has decided to strengthen.
Lleida misses an opportunity for solidarity and justice
Opening an office to some and closing the doors to others is, precisely, doing politics through the Paeria. In exchange for what? What does Lleida gain by leaving the lights off and collaborating with the international isolation of the Sahrawi people? Wouldn’t it be more consistent, fairer and more beneficial for the city to show its support for a cause that defends the right to self-determination, freedom and dignity of an oppressed and colonized people? Wouldn’t it be more respectable, more humane and more supportive to recognize the history, culture and identity of a nation that is fighting for its sovereignty and independence? Wouldn’t it be braver, more democratic and more coherent to side with a people that, like the Catalans, aspires to decide its future and its destiny?
Lleida has an opportunity to be an example of solidarity and justice with the Sahrawi people. Don’t let her escape. Don’t turn off the lights on Sahrawis. Don’t turn your back on them. Don’t forget them. We are 10 million.
