The municipal group of the PSN in the City Council of Pamplona has condemned the disturbances that occurred this Thursday in the Navarre capital due to the presence of Vito Quiles and has expressed its concern over "the escalation of tension, hate speech, and violent actions that deteriorate coexistence and harm the entire citizenry."
In a statement sent to the media, the socialist spokesperson, Marina Curiel, stated that "Pamplona does not deserve to see burning containers and stones flying through the streets of its neighborhoods again. We reject outright the hate speech and the provocation strategy represented by Vito Quiles, but no provocation justifies violence. Those who respond with violence play into the hands of those who live precisely by seeking it."
"We said it before this visit and we repeat it now: Pamplona does not need anyone to come and pit its neighbors against each other. It needs respect, coexistence, and solutions to the real problems of the citizenry," Curiel asserted, insisting that the city must safeguard its coexistence against any attempt at polarization.
The PSN of Pamplona recalled that the Presidency Commission of the City Council approved a declaration "in defense of coexistence and democracy in light of Quiles' visit" last Tuesday, and highlighted that "this is the way: institutional unity, democratic and peaceful response, and not an inch of space for those who want to turn the city into a confrontation stage for their social media."
Curiel maintained that "freedom of expression is a fundamental right that must always be protected within the democratic framework," but at the same time, she pointed out that "it cannot be used to justify hate speech, the dehumanization of the opponent, or the deliberate dissemination of falsehoods." In this regard, she emphasized that "no provocation can serve as an excuse to exercise violence."
Finally, the socialists expressed their "support and recognition to the agents of the Municipal Police, Foral Police, and National Police who worked during the day, as well as to the neighbors and businesses in the area affected by the disturbances," underscoring the need to restore normalcy in the affected neighborhoods as soon as possible.