Taken from the Algorfa community news ..... CLICK
Details of demonstration in support of Mr & Mrs Prior at Vera on Sunday 27th January.
Today’s demonstration in Support of Mr and Mrs Prior who’s house in Vera, was demolished earlier this month by a court order, was supported by over 800 people (at a very rough glance the mix seemed to be 60% Spanish and 40% British).
The Spanish media were also there in force.
Attending the meeting was the Mayor, Félix Lópezv, although it appears the ‘Junta de Andalucia’ had forbidden him to speak on the subject, for legal reasons.
The meeting was introduced by Mr. Lennox Napier of ‘The Entertainer Online’.
Mr Napier being interviewed by the Spanish Media.
First to speak was Angel Medina from Ciudadanos Europeos del Levante. He described his disgust at the demolition and confirmed his full support for Mr & Mrs Prior. He posed the question as to “what rights the Junta had to interfere with the workings of this local government?” This was greeted with loud applause from the assembled demonstrators.
Paco Vázquez, Vera councillor for urban development, said "What a sad day it was for Spain when Mr & Mrs Prior’s home was demolished. For 2,000 years Spain upheld the Roman law, that ‘every person has the right to a home'. This ended when Mr & Mrs Prior were made homeless, and all because of political point scoring." Señor Vázquez went on to say, “Without the British purchasing their homes in Vera, where would we be? – Vera is very proud that Britons have chosen Vera to be the place where they want to live and integrate with their Spanish neighbours, many having sold their homes in their own country to come here.”
He confirmed Mr & Mrs Prior’s claim that their home was legally built 5 years ago and correctly authorised. If anyone wanted to view the paperwork, they could do so by visiting the offices of the Vera Ayuntamiento.
Señor Vázquez appeared deeply emotional, and amongst the demonstrators you could have heard a pin drop as he spoke. Many of the demonstrators were emotionally moved (as we were). It is clear that the local Spanish population have been profoundly hurt and embarrassed by the vicious act of the Andalucian authorities against their respected neighbours from England.
Señor Vázquez concluded his speech by saying "The ‘Junta de Andalucia’ have promised that there will be no more demolishion of homes until all Ayuntamientos have presented PGOUs encompassing those properties that could be construed as illegally built.
We could owe this change of heart", Señor Vázquez said, "to the activities of the Media and the strength of feeling this cowardly act has created." As you can imagine, the crowd erupted into loud applause.
As Mrs Prior came to the microphone to speak, to another loud applause in support of the couple. Mrs Prior apologised for her husband not being with her as he was suffering from a bad cold.
Left to right: Angel Medina, Paco Vázquez and Mrs Prior
She thanked her neighbours for helping them through that terrible day when she saw her house being demolished! She thanked the Ayuntamiento mayor, the councillor and for everyone’s support.
Mrs Prior, emotionally asked, “That lady, who worked so very hard to demolish our home, how is she feeling now?” she went on to send a message to Prime Minister Zapatero, “How can you reside over a government which evicts two old aged pensioners who have done nothing wrong, from their home, leaving them homeless?” Many of us listening will reflect on that brave ladies remarks for a very long time. (27/01/08).
Also read this about it & the Spanish press. http://spanishshilling.blogspot.com/
This message was last edited by morerosado on 2/6/2008.