A necessary tribute
On April 13, at 12 noon, the plenary room of the City of Alcoy will host a significant event for the community, where the remains of José Sanchis Gracia and Antonio Barber Moltó will be returned to their families. This event is an important step in recognizing the pain and injustice they suffered during the Franco dictatorship.
The search for truth
The remains of these two Alcoyans, killed in a war without guarantees, have been recovered thanks to the efforts of the Association of Families of Retaliated by the Franco regime. This organization has played a key role in the identification and location of the victims of a regime that ended the lives of thousands of people.
An act of justice
Mayor Toni Francés said that this ceremony is not only a reminder, but a clear complaint of the crimes committed during the Franco regime. “We must not forget those who fought for freedom and democracy. Recovering their remains is an act of justice that, although late, must be done with dignity,” he said.
The Stories of Sanchis and Barber
José Sanchis Gracia, a UGT mechanic and activist and the Socialist Party, was one of the members of the Alcoy Revolutionary Committee and served as a lieutenant in the Republican Army. His life was cut off only 36 years old, with an execution that took place on January 28, 1941.
Antonio Barber Moltó, 32, and textile worker, was also a victim of the regime to defend the Republic and fight fascism. His murder was justified through the controversial law on political responsibilities, which opened the door to the systematic violence of the dictatorship.
A reflection on the past and future
French concluded that the memory is not enough if it is not accompanied by the truth. “Reconciliation cannot exist without recognition of the horrors of the past. We must dignify victims and ensure that injustices are not unpunished. This act represents a city commitment to democratic memory, and an example for other institutions,” he said.
