Molotov Cocktail workshop organizers say 'ideological and political intentions' behind controversy

Organizers of the Molotov Cocktail workshop during the Granollers 'festa major' have come out fighting against the criticism and controversy that has been played out in the media in the past days. 

Organizing group 'the Blues' view the controversy as an "orchestrated operation with ideological and political intentions."

In a statement, they regret the "misrepresentation and decontextualization" of the event, which has caused a "media and political offensive" that they say goes beyond the 'festa major' group.

"We will defend freedom of expression above anything," they assert, and say they have the right to "subvert rules and impositions."

The workshop, which was included in the official program, simulated making of Molotov Cocktails and taught youngsters how to throw them at police, and how to make a street barricade with containers.

The event was entitled 'Techniques applied in Guerilla combat.'

 

Organizers say the controversy generated is "excessive and distorted" and they warn that they do not want to give up "any of the freedoms that make us who we are."

They define the 'festa major' as a "summer carnival" that becomes "unique" and that is based on "satire and debauchery."

"Like a good carnival, the costume game is varied and annoys the neighbor, the priest and the authority," they add.

Controversy

The controversy far exceeded the borders of the municipality, as the juvenile prosecutor's office has opened a case of undetermined risk for minors who may have participated in the Molotov Cocktail workshop.

Prosecutors also asked the Catalan police to investigate whether minors in situations of helplessness or a lack of protection participated in this activity.

Catalonia's interior minister, Núria Parlon, called the workshop "intolerable" and backed police forces as "a basic pillar and guarantor of a democratic society."

The mayor of Granollers, Alba Barnusell, called the event "unfortunate" and said it was not in line with the council's view of the 'festa major'.

Yet, she made it clear that it was an "isolated" event in a program with more than 200 activities that "can in no way call into question our model of a 'festa major'."