Web of Hate: Vox removes canvas against LGTBI rights and feminism by order of electoral council | General Election 23J | Spain

Vox had until midnight this Tuesday to remove the huge canvas contrary to the rights of the LGTBI collective and equality and advocating the denial of climate change, which the ultra formation paid for and placed on Calle de Alcalá in Madrid, with the motto “Decide what matters”. The electoral council of the Madrid area had given him an ultimatum to remove the ad, considering that it was electoral propaganda, prohibited until the start of the 23-J campaign, for which Santiago Abascal’s party was violating the law. At around 13:30 this Tuesday, the canvas was dismantled and folded, in compliance with an ordinance warning of the formation of possible penalties. The electoral arbiter had taken this decision after two complaints filed last Thursday by the PSOE and the Spanish Association against conversion therapies, but it did not enter into the content of the manifesto, which the complainants have defined as “the canvas of hatred”.

The announcement was published on the 17th and showed a clear message of rejection of feminism, the LGTBIQ+ collective or the 2030 Agenda, which the ultra party proposes to throw away. The canvas occupied six floors of the facade of the Casa de las Bolas, in Calle de Alcalá, one of the most important and busiest in the capital. Against the green background of the far-right party, a hand wearing a bracelet with the flag of Spain threw papers with symbols of everything opposed by allies of the PP in various town halls and communities: feminism; that of the 2030 Agenda; the LGTBIQ+ flag; the communist hammer and sickle; THE stelada of the Catalan independence movement and symbol of the abusive movement. On the image you may read: “Decide what matters.”

The Electoral Council has summoned Santiago Abascal’s party to proceed with his withdrawal “with the warning that, if it does not occur, the damage that could result from the law will stop him”. However, he desisted from opening a disciplinary file, while specifying that, “in the event of recurrence of the conduct, the opening of the same could be agreed”. Nor did it evaluate the “possible illegitimacy” of the banner’s content, but considered that it represents a violation of article 53 of the Organic Law of the General Electoral Regime (Loreg), which prohibits electoral propaganda from convening an electoral process until legal start of the election campaign. According to the opinion of the electoral commission, there is a commercial contract with a message aimed at “convincing the voter”.

Also, you don’t see [la iniciativa] framed in the “ordinary activities” of training, and “the fact that the vote is not expressly required is no reason not to consider any activity that, directly or indirectly, aims to attract votes as electoral propaganda”. The banner has also been the subject of controversy in recent days, having been dubbed “the web of hate” by LGTBI and feminist groups. Last Sunday, Futuro Vegetal militants threw red and black paint on the Vox poster, which they criticized for considering it “an attack on all sectors that question hegemonic positions”, reports Efe.

Hours after receiving the communication, several operators climbed the facade of Calle de Alcalá to first unhook the canvas from the scaffolding and finally deposit it on the ground and fold it.

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