Víctor Sierra, a law student, was the protagonist at the graduation ceremony for the students of the master’s degree in Law at the University of Barcelona. The young man, recently graduated, went up to the lectern to deliver a speech on behalf of his classmates. Shortly after initiating his intervention, Víctor wanted to make a complaint against the “exploitation, indignity of salary, personal contempt and lack of appreciation of work” that “most” of his colleagues have suffered during the performance of their practices.
In his speech, he referred especially to the “resilience” that they were told about on the first day of starting the master’s degree in 2021. Víctor charged against the “injustices” that they have experienced as students in their practices that have had to ” resign”. He also added that “nobody let themselves be trampled by anyone” just as “nobody tramples on anyone” if they enjoy a privileged professional situation in the future as lawyers.
Víctor’s words were applauded by his colleagues, although they were not so well received by the Dean of the Barcelona Bar Association, Jesús María Sánchez. In his subsequent intervention in Víctor Sierra’s speech, the Dean began by arguing that “there is no more beautiful and wonderful profession than practicing law.”
He also wanted to address the student especially and scolded him that his speech represented a situation “practically one of subjugation and slavery.” He also dedicated a few words to him that caused laughter among some of the attendees: “Víctor, I am sure that in 40 years you will be happy, even if you are not today.”
The student wanted to share this moment on his Twitter account, where he wrote: “The most controversial moment of my life has turned out to be for publicly denouncing the hardships that students suffer in internships.” He did not forget the Dean in his message on social networks: “The Dean of the Barcelona Bar Association, furious and raising his voice, began to attack me personally, he even called me unhappy.”
However, he did receive the support of many people who applauded his bravery for his speech and showed their empathy for him having been through similar situations.
