Jon Clarke (Publisher & Editor)
EXCLUSIVE By Jon Clarke
ONE of Brazil’s most famous conductors claims to have been hospitalised after a racially motivated attack by Spanish police over Christmas.
Israel de França, a violinist, was allegedly assaulted on Christmas Eve, in Granada, while on a night out with a friend.
The black musician – who has been living in Spain for a number of years – claims that he was beaten up by four National Police officers.
He insisted he was rounded up from a bar in the Zaidin area of the city, where he was drinking with his white friend and taken to a nearby building where he was assaulted.
De Franca, a violinist with the Granada Chamber Orchestra, now insists he is to sue the Spanish force and claims it is the second time he has been assaulted.
He told a Brazilian TV station Globo: “They took me to a building where three officers came in and gave me a strong beating.
“My Brazilian friend stayed outside with a police officer. I am black and my friend is white, and this is something that is adversely affecting my life here in Spain. Now I want to take action.”
He insisted he was left badly injured and was unable to play in an important concert last week.
‘I spent the whole day at the hospital, doing examinations, an x-ray on my arm, on my left hand which now prevents me from playing violin.
“My left leg and arm are badly hurt, and I have lesions on my body.”
Granada police did not wish to comment.
Da Franca should have at least something on his side. He is also the conductor of the choir for the College of Lawyers in Granada.
The police in Spain do not serve the electorate they serve political pay-masters.
“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzP8znpQI9I”
I wrote a not entirely unrelated article: “http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/matthew-hirtes/spains-new-dictatorship_b_2175014.html”
A film everyone should watch, and not just in Spain. These vicious uniformed thugs should be sacked instantly, we pay them good money to protect us, not to beat us up. But the individuals caught criminally assaulting innocent people, particularly women, are difficult to identify because of their tinted visors, etc., and if you could get close enough you’d probably end up in hospital.
Maybe the behaviour of these ‘men’ is just another symptom of wife-beating, so common in Spain?
Maybe also it’s time for the public to retaliate, when the police arrive ready to assault the crowds, a thousand or two of the public should be ready – armed with shields, visors and batons?
Careful Antonio2, or they’ll be coming for you. Brave, truthful words though.