Nationwide Student Strike Against Bullying Scheduled for October 28

A significant student strike is set to take place on Tuesday, October 28, as students across Spain unite to protest against bullying in educational institutions. This movement is not just a reaction to a single incident; it represents a growing frustration among students who feel that their safety and well-being are not being adequately prioritized by schools.

The catalyst for this nationwide demonstration is the tragic case of Sandra Peña, a 14-year-old girl from Seville who recently took her own life after enduring relentless bullying at school. Despite her attempts to report the harassment, the school’s administration failed to implement the necessary anti-bullying measures. This heartbreaking event has ignited a firestorm of anger and sorrow, prompting students to demand systemic changes in how schools address bullying.

The Student Union is calling on all students from secondary schools, vocational training centers, sixth forms, and universities to join the demonstrations, which will commence at 12:00 noon in various cities. The Union emphasizes the importance of standing in solidarity with Sandra’s family and expressing collective outrage over the systemic failures that allowed such bullying to persist. They are urging students to use their voices to advocate for a safer educational environment for all.

In addition to demanding accountability from the Loreto Irish School, where Sandra was enrolled, the Union is advocating for the resignation of the school’s governing board and the cessation of its public funding. They argue that educational institutions must be held responsible for the safety and well-being of their students. The call for accountability extends beyond individual schools; it encompasses a broader demand for reform within the educational system as a whole.

The Student Union has articulated that addressing bullying and safeguarding mental health is a collective responsibility, not just an individual concern. They are calling for increased mental health resources, including more psychologists and psychiatrists in public healthcare, as well as dedicated mental health professionals in schools, colleges, and universities. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure that students have access to the support they need to navigate the challenges of adolescence.

The Union highlights that the fight against bullying cannot rely solely on the goodwill of teachers, many of whom are overwhelmed by large class sizes. They stress the urgent need for hiring counselors, psychologists, and mediators in all educational settings. By bolstering the support system within schools, the Union believes that students will be better equipped to handle bullying and its associated mental health challenges.

Demonstrations are planned in numerous cities across Spain, with each protest beginning at noon. Below is a list of cities and specific locations where the protests will occur:

Madrid

Catalonia

Key points

• Barcelona: Plaça Universitat
• Tarragona: Plaça Imperial Tàrraco
• Lleida: UdL Campus Cappont
• Girona: Plaça de la Independència

Valencian Community

• Valencia: Faculty of Geography and History
• Castellón: Plaça Maria Agustina
• Alicante: Steps of Jorge Juan

Andalusia

• Seville: Plaza Nueva
• Málaga: Plaza de la Constitución
• Cádiz: Plaza del Ayuntamiento
• Granada: Jardines del Triunfo
• Huelva: Plaza de las Monjas
• Almería: Plaza de las Velas
• Jaén: Plaza del Botijo
• Córdoba: Plaza de las Tendillas
• Algeciras: Plaza Alta

Basque Country

• Vitoria: La Virgen Blanca
• Bilbao: Moyua
• San Sebastián: Boulevard
• Pamplona: Plaza del Ayuntamiento

Asturias

• Gijón: Plaza’l Parchís
• Oviedo: Plaza la Escandalera

Galicia

• A Coruña: Obelisk
• Vigo: Urzáiz Lantern
• Ferrol: Xunta Building
• Santiago de Compostela: Praza Cervantes
• Pontevedra: Praza España
• Ourense: Praza Maior
• Lugo: Praza Maior
• Ortigueira: Praza Isabel II

Castilla y León

• Palencia: Statue of the Palentine Woman
• Segovia: Aqueduct
• Valladolid: Fuente Dorada
• Salamanca: Plaza de los Bandos
• León: 11h Guzmán el Bueno
• Burgos: Plaza del Mio Cid

Castilla-La Mancha

• Guadalajara: Old Government Subdelegation (Paseo Dr. Fernández Iparraguirre, 8)
• Ciudad Real: Plaza Mayor