The Community of Madrid and the capital’s City Council remembered the victims of March 11, the jihadist attack in which 193 people died and left more than 2,000 injured this Monday at Puerta del Sol. when 20 years have passed since the tragedy, taking his side and crying out “against forgetfulness.”
At 9 a.m. the solemn ceremony began, which was held on the façade of the Royal Post Office (headquarters of the regional Presidency), right in front of the souvenir plaque. “Madrid is grateful to all those who knew how to do their duty in helping the victims of the attacks of March 11, 2004 and to all the anonymous citizens who helped them. May the memory of the victims and the exemplary behavior of the people of Madrid always remain”, is collected from that month.
It was then that for two minutes the bells of the churches of the Community of Madrid rang in unison, like every year, and when the president of the Community, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, and the mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, deposited a laurel wreath at the foot of the plaque, while the Orchestra and Choir of the Community of Madrid performed ‘Adagio for Strings’ by Samuel Barber.
The event was attended by, among others, the president of the Senate, Pedro Rollán; the Government delegate in Madrid, Francisco Martín; the leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo; counselors of the regional government, deputies of the Assembly, former presidents of the Community, mayors and councilors. In addition, there were victims’ associations and a representation of the State Security Forces and Bodies as well as professionals from the emergency services who helped in the tragedy.
The first to intervene was Almeida, who emphasized that today marks “20 years of a day of infamy”, in which “terrorism caused immense pain and deep sadness” but he stressed that So he did not manage to “bring the city of Madrid to its knees.”
“This city, 20 years later, remains firm that we must always accompany the victims of that attack, who must always occupy the first place in our thoughts and prayers,” he stressed, while maintaining that it is necessary ” keep alive the memory of the victims”, which “is a beacon of light that guides society as a whole”.
For Almeida, “lack of memory would be giving a victory to barbarism” and this “will not claim another victory, not in Madrid.” “That is therefore our commitment. That the memory of your relatives will continue to live in the city of Madrid (…) Your memory, victims, survivors and relatives will remain intact and that this city will always have you in its heart,” he said. manifested.
The councilor has stressed that, in any case, “even in the worst moments” the flame of hope “always remained alive, for a better good” with Madrid residents who put “the most concrete thing they had at the service of those who suffered the most at that time”. Thus, he recalled “the images of the Ifema pavilions, of the hospitals flooded with people who wanted to donate blood, of that Daoíz and Velarde sports center… images of horror, but also of the most powerful hope.”
“All terrorism is inadmissible, there are no gradations or exceptions of any kind and in Spain we know it well, too well. We are a nation that unfortunately knows what the immense pain of terrorist attacks is. The history of democratic Spain has been forged about the heart, courage and sacrifice of those who lost their lives to terrorism and it is from the victims from whom every day we obtain an indelible, unforgettable lesson that must always remain in our memory,” he stressed.
Vera de Benito spoke after him, who that Thursday morning, at the age of 10, became a victim of terrorism when he lost his father, Esteban, in the attacks. De Benito has focused on how Spain has been a “target” of violence “for too long”, but has claimed that after “every shot or bomb” society has known how to give an “angry response” while being “always up to the task.” “.
“I remember the eternal lines to donate blood in that March when the Community of Madrid,” continued De Benito, who also pointed out the “enormous generosity” and the “enormous work” of the State Security Forces and Corps that “put his integrity to the uncertainty” of those moments.
Next, he explained how the country has seen “a recomposition of the souls being forged” of those affected, which is why this Monday “the memory and unity of an entire country” is valued.
Likewise, he dedicated a few words to his father. About him he has highlighted his memories such as his vacations or the afternoons watching movies. “I wish he were here, saw the first book published or took me to the altar in September,” he lamented.
“I appreciate my 10 years with him. The deep learning of the love of my family. How important it is to have those who are like a balm (…) They may have physically taken our relatives from us, but they can never take their memory away from us” , she said, visibly moved.
“We gather at Puerta del Sol with a heavy heart, still unable to assimilate so much pain and cruelty, but committed to the memory of each and every one of the victims, their families and friends. We will always be with them,” he began. then the president of the Community.
The regional leader has stressed that even in these circumstances, “Madrid became one”, in the same way that the region always responds “when someone is lost, falls, needs, suffers, when they raise their white hands against terror or extend arms to hug a victim.
Ayuso recalled the “broken families, friends who will not return, physical and emotional consequences.” “Terrorism wanted to change us, to cow us and to submit us. There is no better resistance than to continue being as we are, that of the streets of Madrid today filled with people of all conditions, willing to continue with their lives forward. Freedom is defended by exercising it, every day, in every circumstance. Nothing and no one can, through threat, fear or blackmail, condition our path. We remember March 11 as if it were yesterday,” he stressed.
For the president of the Community, “love and commitment to freedom and life can only multiply when they are put at risk” for “dignity” and for knowing that they are “stronger and better than hatred and fanaticism.”
“Every March 11, all of us Spaniards have our souls with the victims and their loved ones. One morning in March, terrorism cowardly turned off their light. Since then it has vibrated strongly within all of us who now and will always be at their side “, he concluded, before the singer Diana Navarro will perform the song ‘Adiós’ to end the event.
