Festivity of the Virgen de los Desamparados

STOP THE VIOLENCE IN VALENCIA: POLICE VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN ON THE STREETS OF VALENCIA

High school students recently took part in a peaceful protest in Valencia City to protest against their schools not being paid for electricity or heating. They were taught by their teachers how to protest peacefully. The police turned out in riot gear and treated the kids and parents like criminals. This is now daily life for many students and parents here in Valencia and there has been no media coverage of these attrocities. DO NOT SUPPORT THIS REGIME - MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.

CHIEF OF POLICE ANTONIO MORENO, WHEN ASKED WHETHER HE CONSIDERED THE POLICE RESPONSE "DISPROPORTIONATE" SAID SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF "YOU DON'T GIVE NUMBERS TO YOUR ENEMY".

MR MORENO, I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU:
ARE CHILDREN YOUR ENEMY? ARE THE PEOPLE OF VALENCIA YOUR ENEMY? IS THIS BUSINESS (WHICH PAYS MORE THAN YOUR ANNUAL WAGES) YOUR ENEMY?

WE CALL FOR THE RESIGNATION OF ANTONIO MORENO, HE'S EVIDENTLY OVERSTRESSED, SLIGHTLY MAD AND CURRENTLY CONTROLLING A DANGEROUS AND VIOLENT FORCE ON THE STREETS OF VALENCIA AGAINST CHILDREN, PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS.

READ OUR PUBLIC STATEMENT ON THE VALENCIA PROTESTS AND POLICE BRUTALITY HERE

Spanish Fiestas

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On the second Sunday of May Valencia celebrates the feast of the Virgen de los Desamparados, the Patron Saint of the city. There is great devotion for this Virgin Mary, whom the Valencians affectionately call "La Geperudeta", alluding to the slightly curved or stooping position that she adopts. The statue that is currently used in the procession dates back to 1945, made by Carmelo Vicent and popularly known as La Peregrina (The Pilgrim).

On Sunday, in the morning, at an altar that is installed in front of the Basílica de la Mare de Déu (The Mother of God Basilica), the façade of which is adorned with a tapestry of flowers, the Misa de Infantes (Children's Mass) is held. At 10:30am the Traslado (Transference) is proceeded with, in which the "Peregrina" (Pilgrim) statue is carried by the "followers" from the Basilica to the Cathedral through the Puerta de los Hierros (The Gate of Irons). This act is very famous and the Virgin Mary, amidst cries of "viva" ("long live") and compliments, is carried through the air, passed from one to the other, until entering the Cathedral backwards (i.e. facing outwards towards the crowds).

At midday there is a mascletà (special firework display) and in the afternoon a procession is held in which the Virgin Mary is taken around the streets of the historic centre which are spread with thousands of petals from flowers.

On this date in the square known as Plaza de la Reina, a market of typical ceramic and clay objects, known as the l'escuraeta, is set up.