CUP Barcelona has publicly accused the Barcelona City Council of discriminatory treatment regarding Sant Jordi stall allocations. The party claims the council denied their request for a stall on Rambla de Catalunya, a prime location for political parties. Meanwhile, the council simultaneously authorised a Spanish police stall on the same street.
In a statement, CUP Barcelona labelled the decision "inadmissible". They directly challenged Mayor Jaume Collboni, asking, "What kind of city model is this?" The party asserts this decision reveals "a political bias in the management of public space during a popular festival."
Sant Jordi, celebrated annually on 23 April, is a deeply cherished Catalan festival where people exchange books and roses. Rambla de Catalunya, a central boulevard in the Eixample district, typically hosts numerous stalls, including those for political parties. The Eixample district is home to over 260,000 residents.
CUP Stalls in Other Districts
Despite being excluded from the central political party zone, CUP Barcelona will operate stalls in several other Barcelona locations. These include the Born, Poblenou, Sants, Sant Andreu, Nou Barris, and other parts of the Eixample. The party stated, "While the council facilitates some and denies others, we will be there anyway."
Combining Culture and Politics
Local community centres and organisations set up many of these stalls. CUP Barcelona plans to combine the traditional celebration of Sant Jordi with political demands at all their locations. This approach highlights the party's commitment to engaging with residents across various neighbourhoods.
This dispute over public space allocation for a major cultural event underscores ongoing tensions between political groups and the city administration. Residents and visitors will observe how the various stalls operate across Barcelona during the Sant Jordi festivities.
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Originally published by VilaWeb Feed. Read original article.
