(VIDEOS) Protesters try to burn Valencia City Hall due to clashes with the Police – Diario La Página –

The clashes between the Police and protesters occurred this Saturday in the streets of Valencia, Spain, during a march to demand the resignation of the president of the Valencian Community, Carlos Mazón, and demand political responsibilities for the “negligent management” of the crisis caused due to the torrential rains of DANA, which devastated dozens of municipalities in the area.

Some 130,000 people, according to government estimates, attended the march. During the protest there was an attempt to set fire to the main door of the Town Hall. In addition, windows on the ground floor have been broken and numerous graffiti has been done on the walls of the building. The Valencia City Council has condemned in a statement the “terrible vandalism” that the Town Hall building has suffered during the demonstration. “Confrontation and vandalism will never be the solution,” he said.

“These attitudes cannot be tolerated because at this time we must all work together to recover the districts and municipalities affected by DANA, as we are all already doing together,” denounced the City Council.

The mayor of Valencia, María José Catalá, also issued a message that says: “It is time to work together to move forward districts and municipalities affected by this terrible tragedy, as we are already doing. With absolute respect to everyone, I consider that confrontation and vandalism will never be the solution. The city of Valencia is also an affected municipality and a symbol of the solidarity of an entire people.

A video that spread on social media shows law enforcement hitting protesters with batons during the attempt to set fire to the building.

After the launching of several flares, several anti-riot agents from the National Police have established a security cordon at the entrance to the City Hall, where clashes have occurred with some protesters, reports El País.

While the officers tried to disperse the crowd, the protesters shouted insults and complaints at them. Among the shouts could be heard: “Go clean,” “Being a police officer, I’d be ashamed,” “[el presidente de Gobierno de España, Pedro] Sánchez, Mazón, the same shit” or “Where were you on the first day?” The walls of the City Hall are covered with graffiti such as “Mazón, murderer” and mud stains.

“Mazón, resign, come out of hiding,” the protesters also cried. Meanwhile, the march progressed with difficulty due to the crowd that responded to the call from more than 40 organizations.

The protesters have arrived at the Palau de la Generalitat, where they have dirty the walls with mud. In addition, they have painted the phrase “the president to Picassent [prisión de Valencia]» and they have placed black crepes. Some of them left posters and banners on the windowsills of the Valencian Government headquarters, according to reports.

When the demonstration ended at 9:30 p.m., there were more moments of tension between law enforcement and youth groups.

According to the Government of Spain, the latest death toll caused by the devastating DANA is more than 200 people.