The traditional Civic Procession on the occasion of October 9 has traveled the streets of Valencia this morning in an atmosphere of celebration, vindication and without notable incidents. If one has never been to the Paseo de la Real Senyera from the descent of the Cap i Casal Town Hall (without bowing to anyone) to the statue of Jaume I in the Parterre, it may seem like a parade not without tension and insults. However, historical retrospect allows us to assess that in recent years the tension has been less.
This Sunday there have been hardly any relevant incidents, except for the attempt by a group of ultras to invade the route when the Compromís entourage entered it. With phalanx flags and Nazi salutes, there have been moments of tension, but the strong police presence has prevented further problems.
The morning march is used by anti-Catalan and far-right groups (flags of the yoke and arrows have been waved) to launch their slogans. In addition, it is common for the applause at the passage of the Senyera to be followed by whistles for the best-known political authorities. Others, anonymous, go unnoticed. All under a tight police cordon.
It must also be said that there is applause for the leaders of the left, although less than those who, for example, are taken in their wake by the army and the State security forces and bodies.
This commemorative act of October 9 has never been easy for the left, although it should be noted that normalcy is gaining ground. And it is that any self-respecting candidate has to attend the parade. This Sunday Joan Baldoví has already been leading the Compromís entourage and, as a familiar face, has received praise and reproaches. Also a large representation of the PP with its president, Carlos Mazón and the candidate for mayor, María José Catalá, who were smiling and happy with the polls.
Behind the Senyera carried by the mayor Sergi Campillo, the mayor of Valencia, Joan Ribó, the president of the Generalitat and the rest of the authorities who sweated their stuff on a day that threatened rain (the mobile Senyera has come out) and has finished still as hot as usual.
