On July 17th, at the city hall of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, a symbolic act took place to restore the honor of those repressed by Francoism. This event, aimed at the children and grandchildren of the victims, seeks to repair the horrors suffered by those who remained loyal to the Republic against a dictatorial uprising.
Ninety years after false accusations, rigged trials, convictions, job losses, confinement in concentration camps such as La Isleta and Gando, beatings, threats, murders, and executions, justice has been served. The act also acknowledges the economic sanctions, social contempt, and subsequent humiliations that the families endured.
Democratic Memory has won a significant battle by restoring honor to the families of the repressed, who were persecuted for their political convictions and loyalty to democratic values. The recognition, carried out in a joint ceremony by the Mayor's Office of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the Ministry of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, represented by Carolina Darias and Ángel Víctor Torres, refutes the narrative of the victors.
The certificate issued by the Spanish Government, on behalf of the Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, acknowledges the persecution and violence suffered for political, ideological, and conscience reasons during the dictatorship. It declares the illegality of the courts and the nullity of the sentences and resolutions issued, in accordance with Law 20/2022 of October 19th on Democratic Memory.
For many, this document is a mere diploma, but for others, it represents full historical justice. The annulment of the sentence against the defendant judged and executed for defending the legitimate government nullifies the case 137/1936, described as a macabre game of manipulation and revenge. The law restores values, recognizing the victim and annulling sentences rigged by the true criminals, which constitutes a moral victory for families, society, and democracy.
