Valencia saw a three‑minute silence held in front of the Palau de les Corts, led by the head of the autonomous assembly, in a gesture to reject the murder of a woman tied to sexist violence that occurred in Antella. The act followed a moment when the regional parliament’s official banner, which declares a stance against male violence, was briefly ignored by the presiding figure, who paused outside the banner before colleagues from other groups joined the demonstration in solidarity.
A man in Valencia kills his wife in front of their son and then takes his own life, a 12-year-old boy asks for help during the murder
During a demonstration held by supporters of the anti‑violence campaign in the last legislative session, Vox had focused attention on the edge of the official banner. On this occasion, as on others, Llanos Massó, a senior member of the autonomous parliament, led the three‑minute act of rejection in the chamber in front of the Palau dels Borja, with representatives from several parties standing in witness to the moment.
Llanos Massó aligns with Vox’s stance and argues that the discourse around violence against women should not be protected
In practice, the presidency of the Corts opened the morning rally, omitting explicit references to sexist violence in their wording. It was stated that, in line with the Corts Valencianes Presidency, a demonstration would be held and a three‑minute silence observed in front of the Palau dels Borja to condemn the murder of a woman reported in Antella over the weekend. The wording suggested a focus on the perpetrator’s act rather than a broader description of gender‑based violence, a choice that sparked debate among attendees and observers alike.
Vox’s position in the Valencian Community: the idea that gender violence does not exist
As the Corts’ platform was shaped by Vox’s influence, the phrase regarding gendered violence—cited by some as a core element of the protest rhetoric—was challenged. Critics said that the call to condemn the murder did not explicitly acknowledge the broader category of sexist or gender‑based violence, and that some participants felt the emphasis on denying gender violence diminished the political message. The absence of some Vox representatives in the final photo, alongside other groups, underscored the tension surrounding the event and the competing narratives about how best to address violence against women in public discourse.
Civic and political actors continue to navigate the language used in official statements and rallies. The episode highlighted a broader debate about how public institutions recognize and name violence against women, and how different parties frame such incidents within policy discussions and symbolic actions. The incident also drew attention to the sensitive balance between protest choreography and the precise wording of official communications within regional governance.