Easter-time atheist march banned

An atheist march scheduled to take place in the Lavapiés neighborhood of Madrid on Maundy Thursday has been prohibited by the capital region's government delegation.

Dolores Carrión, the central government delegate, decided that there were 11 reasons to ban the "demonstration to promote atheist ideas," which has been organized by the Neighborhood Association of Playa de Lavapiés. One relates to lewd promotional posters for the event that, under the association's name, bore slogans such as the "fraternity of saint pedophilia."

The organizers - local residents and various atheist associations - have repeatedly disassociated themselves from the posters, but the delegation nevertheless took them into account when prohibiting the march.

"We will not authorize on that day, at that hour, and in that space, such a mockery of a religious faith"

Carrión questioned the choice of Holy Thursday for the event and that its location - the streets of Lavapiés - "curiously includes names related to Catholic symbols."

The ruling also expressed concern about the time of the march, which "coincides with the start of Catholic processions" and that the route includes streets in which there are "multiple parish churches." The association has the right to appeal the decision at the Madrid High Court (TSJM), which has to give a response as soon as possible - within 48 to 72 hours - as it concerns something that affects the fundamental right to demonstrate.

Luis Vega, president of the Madrileño Association of Atheists and Freethinkers - one of the organizers of the event - called the decision "worrying" and "a step back to the beginning of the Transition [to democracy] for the country."

Before the ruling the proposal had been passed around like a hot potato between various departments. First, the government delegate claimed the decision did not lie within its mandate, because of the word "procession." So the organizers on Friday resubmitted the petition, asking for permission to hold a "demonstration." That same day, Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba said: "This decision falls to the government delegation in Madrid and the law will be applied the same way it is for all other demonstrations. If it's yes, it's yes, and if it's no, it's no."

City Hall, governed by the Popular Party, has always been opposed to the event. "Wewill not authorize on that day, at that hour, and in that space, such a mockery of a religious faith," said Deputy Mayor Manuel Cobo.