Outrage has filled the Law Faculty of the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM) following a disruptive demonstration against former president of the Government Felipe González and journalist Juan Luis Cebrián during the “Civil Society and Global Change” forum.while some students enjoyed the weather, others focused on their studies, as cleaning staff maintained the building, which doesn’t fit the stereotype of a radical surroundings.

Students have set up three signature tables inside the faculty to condemn the incident. These students, representing various delegate groups “elected by all classmates,” aim to distance themselves from the violence. One student at a table explained, “The university should be a space that protects Freedom of expression and dialogue, and no one should experience violence.”

They’ve gathered over a thousand signatures out of approximately 3,000 enrolled students, a stark contrast to the estimated With just 150 vandals who disrupted the event. The student body, with the deanery’s approval, has issued a manifesto affirming their right to express any idea through various means, including banners, acts, mobilizations, and strikes. “Therefore, we don’t need to resort to other means, like those employed on this occasion, because we can speak and express ourselves by other means respecting the rules.” Manuela Carmena, who participated in the same forum the day before, signed the manifesto after her presentation.

The dean is collecting information that identifies the authors, whether individuals or associations

Many students are signing the petition, unafraid and hopeful that the perpetrators will be held accountable.One student stated, “We’re going to present a statement to the Faculty Board to take appropriate measures.The dean was the first to sign, and we certainly know there’s an active investigation to expel those responsible.”

According to the dean, Yolanda ValDeolivares, the priority was ensuring safety during the event.Now, the focus is on investigating and gathering information to “adopt the measures that lead to those responsible for the facts and to prove their identity, either by personal or association.”

En route to
Tomás y Valiente Assets Hall, another student noted the faculty’s confusing layout and pointed out the location of Habeas Corpus, an anti-fascist and anti-capitalist association allegedly Active participants in boycott. The student added, “Even if we don’t know who organized it, anyone present could identify classmates who were involved.”

This student’s account sheds light on the event’s intensity. He and his friends,who were enrolled in the course,attempted to attend. “The presentations started on Tuesday, and nothing happened. No one expected something like this.” The protestors, some wearing masks with the names of josé Antonio Lasa and Christian Olaskoaga, allegedly set off launched a large firecracker in the hall, damaging lights and injuring attendees.

The student continued, “Besides the pushing, insults, blows, and assault on a 70-year-old teacher, I saw a large kitchen knife, Of those that the edge sheet trembles, and I ran. A teacher found the weapon, leading the protesters to accuse him of planting it.”

The mob was organized by the radicals through social networks and WhatsApp groups

Inside the Habeas Corpus office,about 20 people were present.”We are as an assembly, what do you want?” A member stated, “Our association didn’t organize anything, and we don’t know if anyone here participated individually.”

Indicated by their own colleagues, members of the group hesitated to speak, ultimately choosing silence, but not before claiming that “it was the escorts of Felipe gonzález who left him lying on the ground to incriminate us.”

External Groups Involved

The Libertarian student Federation (FEL), present in Complutense, Carlos III, and the Autonomous University, claimed obligation for the protest With a challenging message on Twitter: “Thank you very much for all samples of solidarity.Putting with two regime capos has consequences.”

The FEL identifies as an “anarchist organization” formed in 2014 after “post-Bologna student demobilization” to address a “more elitized” university environment. Also implicated was Spanish left, the “political arm” of anti-fascism, with its youth branch, Yesca, based in the UCM.

Reports indicate that «The call was prepared to be In the Faculty of Psychologygather all the people who came from the Complutense and from there in mass to have the greatest possible impact, “describe those registered in the course itself.The protest was reportedly organized via social media and WhatsApp groups, a common tactic to avoid police detection.

“The university is a space where there must be Freedom of expression and dialogue and no one can be to suffer any kind of violence.”