The Platform of Women against Sexist Violence of Irun and the Feminist Group of the Federation of Peñas of Pamplona have announced on Wednesday the departure of the advisory group on violence against women who have shared with the City Council of Pamplona. Since 2014, the feminist movement and the City Council of Pamplona have collaborated in the elaboration of a strategy to combat sexual assaults in the Sanfermines and in the festivities of the neighborhoods. However, since Navarre came under the command of Suma, its relationship has deteriorated until it has been broken.

The reason for the rupture was the usual campaign for the city's patron saint festivities, approved by the Municipal Government "without the consensus" of the feminist movement. Feminists have affirmed that Mayor Enrique Maya has "flooded and emptied the strategy" and that the decisions pertaining to both sides have been taken unilaterally, "without the possibility of contributions". "This government is aware that it cannot radically eliminate the whole campaign, but it has done its best to repeal it, empty it of content and undo all the steps we have taken together so far," said Iratxe Alvarez, from the Women's Platform against Sexist Violence.

Among other things, Álvarez has pointed out that the red hand, which has been present in the campaigns carried out so far and was already iconic, has been placed in the background and has changed the usual refrain; Askatasuna, I always libre.Pamplona, committed to sexist aggressions, is the new motto that, according to feminists, does not have to do with sanfermines. “We created this slogan in February 2021 and it is not intended for the Sanfermines,” they point out, arguing that the campaign for the Sanfermines must be comprehensive. In addition to these modifications, changes have also been made to the campaign visibility media: "They told us they wouldn't use the usual media: public transportation ads, videos, radio parts and stage posters."

Modification of the protocol against sexual assaults

However, the most serious fact for feminists is the modification of the protocol against sexual assault. According to the protocol so far, in case of sexual assault during the festivities, the city council joins the mobilizations that corresponded to the feminist movement. This was agreed upon in the day by all the municipal groups. But feminists have announced that the municipal government has changed it.

"The municipal government of Navarra Suma wants this faculty to be left in the hands of the city council so that, in case of sexual assault, they themselves decide when, how and why to mobilize," says Alvarez. In the opinion of the platform, the desire to be able to ignore the aggressions that can occur during the festivities is what lies behind it. This reading coincides with the statements made in November last year by the municipal communication officer, Edurne Elio, who suggested that the communication of the attacks dirty the image of the city.

Despite rising from the table, feminists have shown their desire to regain collaboration in the future.