This Wednesday, the cycling return to Spain has been able to develop normally. Although weathering parts warned of the presence of wind, the stage did not register incidents and the organization breathed relieved. However, the gaze is already set on Thursday, when the race is at Valladolid. It will not be the weather this time the focus of concern, but the political and social call that threatens to alter the tour.
“Mass boycott”
The Secretary of Organization and Coportovoz of We can, Pablo Fernándezhas made an express call to citizens to “go mass” to “boycott” the passage of the Vuelta For the Valladolid capital. “We call the active boycott, we lead to civil disobedience,” he said, convinced that sport cannot be kept out of what he considers a tragedy of historical dimensions.
Fernández He argued that “the condemnation of the genocide is above any sporting activity” and defended that “when this terrible genocide is being perpetrated, I think you have to report it in all areas.” In his words, these areas cover “politicians, cultural and also sports.”
The leader of We can framed his statements in the complaint against the State of Israel, who accused of being “terrorist and genocidal.” “A genocide is absolutely unfortunate and miserable by the terrorist and genocidal state of Israel,” he said. In that line, he called “a real shame” that the Cyclist return to Spain and the International Cycling Union They consent to the participation of an Israeli team in the test.
Fernández He went further in his criticism when he said that such team “is owned by a Zionist” that “makes Zionism propaganda and also makes genocide apology.” In his opinion, allowing him to compete in the Spanish round equals “cleaning the image of this genocide” and, therefore, is intolerable.
The politic also announced his physical presence in the day of Valladolid. “I will be present with my sports jacket with the name of Palestine,” he said, with the intention of making his protest visible and his explicit support for the Palestinian cause.
“Prevent the stage from ending”
In addition, he directly questioned Valladolid citizens to assume a leading role in this protest: “The people of Valladolid You have to give an example and join what has happened so much in Bilbao as elsewhere. ” Valladolid”.
Faced with the criticisms that question the suitability of mixing cycling with an international conflict, Fernández He replied that these are “pilgrim arguments” and “unfortunate.” And he added firmly: “People’s lives are above all.” With these words he wanted to make it clear that, from his point of view, no sporting activity can have priority against the complaint of what he qualifies as a genocide.
The spokesman insisted on several occasions that it is not enough to show symbolic rejection. The slogan is clear: active boycott. “We can will go to those demonstrations and we hope that also in Valladolid An Israeli team is prevented from concluding its participation in the Vuelta, ”he said.
Courted by History
Fernández raised the tone and appealed to history: “We are facing the worst genocide of the 21st century than the History He will judge us. ”And he launched a direct notice to those who choose to stay out:“ Those who remain in silence will also be judged by the History”.
Your statements like this to Valladolid in the center of controversy. The counterreloj stage, which should be a cycling party, is anticipated loaded with tension. The organizers will have to extreme precautions not only for technical issues, but also for the possibility that protests alter the normal development of the competition.
At the moment, the only sure thing is that Pablo Fernández He has marked a before and after in the relationship between sport and politics in this edition of La Vuelta. His words, repeated with insistence, leave no doubt: “The condemnation of genocide is above any sporting activity.”
