Since 2019, two activists from Zaragoza have dedicated their efforts to removing plaques bearing Franco symbols from the facades and gates of the city. They claim to have already eliminated nearly a thousand people although there are still dozens spread across different areas. Armando, one of them, explains that his motivation is “to comply with the law of historical memory.”
He stresses that administrations must be responsible for the disappearance of these elements, but denounces that “no one forces them to comply with the law” and that is why they act in an uncaring manner. “We do this because it is unusual that 50 years after the death of a dictator, there are still symbols of his regime,” he says.
The two began removing the paintings at night, but soon decided to do so in daylight to avoid suspicion. Since then, there have been almost no incidents, except for occasional insults from bystanders. “At first we argued, until we decided not to waste a single minute with the fascists,” he says.
They were intervened twice by local police, who came to confiscate tools such as ladders or screwdrivers. On one occasion, they say, agents asked neighboring communities if they wanted to report them, something that never happened. He claims they are accused of causing damage, even though the paintings were removed “simply by tearing off some limbs” and without damage.
However, they remain committed. “We will continue until there is no one left in Zaragoza, unless an institution takes over our work,” says Armando.
His testimony appeared last week on the “Investigative Team” program on La Sexta, where they told his story.
In 2022, the Investigative Court No. 3 of Zaragoza filed the open case against the two activists after local police intercepted them in possession of several badges and tools. In its decision, it considered that there was insufficient evidence that a crime had been committed, because the facts did not fit the criminal category attributed to it. The file is based on the absence of evidence of any harm or behavior that justifies continuing the procedure.
No complaint or claim
The matter took into account that none of the affected owner communities had filed a complaint or financial claim for compensation for the alleged damages. Furthermore, the defense pointed out that state and regional legislation has required departments for years to remove this type of insignia, from both public and private buildings. The judge assumed that these arguments were relevant, concluding that the actions of the people investigated had not caused any harm and were not the subject of a complaint by those who could be considered to have been harmed.
The judicial decision comes after the local police intercepted the two young men with the license plates and the tools they used to recover them. They then both explained that their intention was to remove symbols that they deemed inappropriate and that were still visible despite current regulations. The judge, after evaluating the circumstances, understood that there was insufficient basis to charge them with the crime of compensation, which led to the final filing of the case.