VALENCIA is investigating an anti-riot police officer after he was caught on camera violently shoving a 68-year-old woman to the ground during a demonstration.
The retired teacher, who reportedly suffered a broken nose and a cut to her chin, can be seen falling face-first after the officer ploughs into her – seemingly without provocation – while jogging along the road.
Footage shows other demonstrators clamouring against the officer after the incident, with some chanting ‘vergonya’ (‘shame’ in Valencian).
The woman appeared to be protesting peacefully as hundreds of teachers rallied outside Valencia’s Ministry of Education on Sunday, demanding better working conditions as part of an indefinite strike that began on May 11.
Valencian government delegate Pilar Bernabe, who also serves as left-wing PSOE’s secretary for equality, condemned the incident as ‘unacceptable.’
“We will conduct a thorough investigation into what happened and establish where responsibility lies.
“Protecting the right to protest safely must take precedence above all else.
“This is a completely incomprehensible incident that tarnishes the work carried out by the police over the past three weeks of demonstrations, which have been coordinated with the organising trade unions.”
The retiree, who has not yet been named, has sued the officer over the incident, according to El Pais.
She was treated for her injuries at a local health centre on Sunday and was later discharged, it is understood.
Tensions initially escalated on Sunday after police moved against a group of demonstrators who threatened to temporarily block one of the city’s main thoroughfares, Avenida Pio XII.
Later in the evening, tempers flared again when officers dragged protesters from the Ministry’s front steps as they attempted to stage a sit-in.
The region-wide strikes, which mark the largest industrial action in the education sector since the 1980s, have so far reportedly drawn thousands of demonstrators onto the streets of Alicante, Castellon, Elche and Valencia.
Last month, unions claimed that up to 90% of public school classes were affected by the strike, although the regional Ministry of Education put the figure at 47%.
Teaching unions are demanding measures including reduced bureaucracy, lower teacher-pupil ratios and increased funding for students with additional educational needs.
They say classes of more than 30 pupils are commonplace.
On pay, the Ministry of Education has offered a phased salary increase that would amount to an extra €75 per month within three years.
Unions have dismissed the offer as unacceptable, arguing it falls well short of restoring teachers’ purchasing power after two decades of declining real wages.
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