{"id":2363533,"date":"2024-11-03T15:42:02","date_gmt":"2024-11-03T20:42:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/spain-flood-survivors-hurl-mud-at-the-royals-and-top-government-officials-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-11-03T15:44:07","modified_gmt":"2024-11-03T20:44:07","slug":"spain-flood-survivors-hurl-mud-at-the-royals-and-top-government-officials-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/spain-flood-survivors-hurl-mud-at-the-royals-and-top-government-officials-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Spain flood survivors hurl mud at the royals and top government officials &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fspain-flood-survivors-hurl-mud-at-the-royals-and-top-government-officials-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2363533&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>In Spain, survivors of devastating floods expressed their anger during \u200da visit by the Spanish royal\u2063 couple, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, to the \u2063town \u200dof\u200c Paiporta. The flooding, described\u2063 as the country&#8217;s deadliest\u2064 natural\u2064 disaster\u200d in recent memory and exacerbated by climate\u200c change, \u2062resulted in over\u200b 60 deaths and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/freedom-convoy-organizer-tamara-lich-released-from-jail-after-18-days\/\" title=\"Freedom Convoy Organizer Tamara Lich Released From Jail After 18 Days\">extensive property damage<\/a>. During the \u2064visit, residents hurled mud and \u2064objects \u2063at the \u200droyals \u2062and other officials, protesting the perceived \u200dinadequacy of the\u2063 government\u2019s response\u200b to \u2064the\u2063 crisis. <\/p>\n<p>The crowd shouted insults, \u200cdemanding the resignations of local\u2063 leaders and\u200d expressing frustrations over the slow recovery efforts, as many were still without\u200d basic necessities like drinking\u200b water \u2062a week after\u2063 the floods. The incident marked a significant departure from the usual warm reception the monarchy receives, reflecting deep-rooted\u2062 frustrations with the\u200d government&#8217;s handling of\u200d the disaster relief. \u2064Despite being targeted, King Felipe and Queen Letizia\u2062 attempted to connect with \u200dthe affected individuals, with the Queen visibly\u2062 emotional while interacting with the residents. The\u2064 unrest highlights growing discontent among the public regarding \u200ddisaster management and government effectiveness in the wake of\u200d such tragedies.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Spain flood survivors hurl mud at the royals and top government officials<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1871401\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>PAIPORTA, Spain (AP) &mdash;<\/strong> A crowd of enraged&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/flash-floods-spain-valencia-climate-change-what-to-know-f942142b82de24f5b4a18867bc32ae00\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">survivors<\/a>&nbsp;hurled clots of mud left by storm-spawned flooding at the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/king-felipe-vi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Spanish royal couple<\/a>&nbsp;on Sunday during their first visit to the epicenter of their nation&rsquo;s deadliest natural disaster in living memory.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Spain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Spain<\/a>&rsquo;s national broadcaster reported that the barrage included a few rocks and other objects and that two bodyguards were treated for injuries. One could be seen with a bloody wound on his forehead.<\/p>\n<p>It was an unprecedented incident for a royal house that carefully crafts the image of monarchs adored by their country of more than 48 million people.<\/p>\n<p>Spanish fury has been unleashed against a state that appears overwhelmed and unable to meet the needs of people used to living under an effective government.<\/p>\n<p>Officials also rushed Prime Minister Pedro S&aacute;nchez from the scene soon after his contingent started to walk the mud-covered streets of one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/noreaster-pummels-massachusetts-upwards-of-490000-businesses-and-homes-lose-power\/\" title=\"Nor&#039;easter Pummels Massachusetts: Upwards of 490,000 Businesses and Homes Lose Power\">hardest-hit areas<\/a>, where over 60 people perished and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/flash-floods-spain-valencia-f52e40c9fdf2af44814617948afdb920\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">thousands of lives were shattered<\/a>. The disaster&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/spain-valencia-flooding-rain-climate-change-a183db96064cb5a9e82fc58c92338f38\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">fueled by climate change<\/a>&nbsp;killed at least 205 people in eastern Spain.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Get out! Get out!&rdquo; and &ldquo;Killers!&rdquo; the crowd in the town of Paiporta shouted, among other insults. Bodyguards opened umbrellas to protect the royals and other officials from the tossed muck.<\/p>\n<p>Police had to step in, some officers on horseback, to keep back the crowd of several dozen, some wielding shovels and poles.<\/p>\n<p>Queen Letizia broke into tears sympathetically after speaking to several people, including one woman who wept in her arms. Later, one of the queen&rsquo;s bodyguards had a bloody wound on his forehead and there was a hole in the back window of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/prime-minister\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">prime minister<\/a>&rsquo;s official car.<\/p>\n<p>But even after being forced to seek protection, King Felipe VI, with flecks of mud on his face, remained calm and made several efforts to speak to individual residents. He insisted on trying to speak with people as he tried to continue his visit. He spoke to several people, patting two young men on their backs and sharing a quick embrace, with mud stains on his black raincoat.<\/p>\n<p>Still, one woman smacked an official car with an umbrella and another kicked it before it sped off.<\/p>\n<p>While far from awakening the passion that the British hold for their royals, Felipe and Letizia&rsquo;s public events are usually greeted by crowds of fans.<\/p>\n<p>The 56-year-old Felipe took the throne when his father, Juan Carlos, abdicated in 2014 after he was tarnished by self-made financial and personal scandals. Felipe immediately cut a new figure, renouncing his personal inheritance and increasing the financial transparency of his royal house. He and the 52-year-old Letizia, a former journalist, dedicate a significant part of their public agenda to cultural and scientific causes.<\/p>\n<p>Visits to sites of national tragedies are also part of the royal duties for monarchs seen as a stabilizing force in a parliamentary monarchy restored following the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975.<\/p>\n<p>But the public rage over the haphazard management of the crisis has been building. Felipe heard some jeers when he took part in a tribute to the dead of a deadly 2017 terrorist attack in Barcelona, but that was nothing comparable to Sunday&rsquo;s reception.<\/p>\n<p>The queen had small glops of mud on her hands and arms as she spoke to women.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We don&acute;t have any water,&rdquo; one <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/women\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">woman<\/a> told her.<\/p>\n<p>Many people still don&rsquo;t have drinking water five days after the floods struck. Internet and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">mobile phone coverage remains patchy<\/a>. Most people only got power back on Saturday. Stores and supermarkets are in ruins and Paiporta, population 30,000, still has many city blocks completely clogged with piles of detritus, countless totaled cars and a ubiquitous layer of mud.<\/p>\n<p>Thousands have had their homes destroyed by a tsunami-like wave of muck and indignation at mismanagement of the disaster has begun.<\/p>\n<p>The floods had already hit Paiporta when the regional officials issued an alert to mobile phones. It sounded two hours too late.<\/p>\n<p>More anger has been fueled by the inability of officials to respond quickly to the aftermath. Most of the cleanup of the layers and layers of mud and debris that has invaded countless homes has been done by residents and thousands of volunteers.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We have lost everything!&rdquo; someone shouted.<\/p>\n<p>Shouts Sunday included demands aimed at regional Valencia President Carlo Maz&oacute;n, whose administration is in charge of civil protection, to step down, as well as &ldquo;Where is Pedro S&aacute;nchez?&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I understand the indignation and of course I stayed to receive it,&rdquo; Maz&oacute;n said on X. &ldquo;It was my moral and political obligation. The attitude of the king this morning was exemplary.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Spanish national broadcaster RTVE reported that the barrage aimed at the royals included a few rocks and other hard objects were tossed and that two bodyguards were treated for injuries, and the monarchs and officials called off another stop Sunday at a second hard-hit village, Chiva, about half an hour to the east of Valencia city.<\/p>\n<p>S&aacute;nchez said that recovery efforts won&rsquo;t be derailed by the incident.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I want to express all my government&rsquo;s solidarity and its acknowledgement of the anguish, suffering, uncertainty and the needs of the residents of Paiporta and the region of Valencia,&rdquo; S&aacute;nchez said, while adding that he believes the majority of people &ldquo;reject the types of violence that unfortunately we saw today.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The mud-slinging scene occurred as thousands more Spanish soldiers, national police officers, and Civil Guard gendarmes arrived, or are set to arrive, at the disaster sites.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1871401\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1871401\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Survivors in Spain throw mud at royals during disaster visit<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2634,"featured_media":2363534,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/king-felipe-VI-protests.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[44287,44288,11648],"class_list":["post-2363533","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-flood-survivors","tag-mud-throwing","tag-spain"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/king-felipe-VI-protests.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2363533","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2634"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2363533"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2363533\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2363534"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2363533"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2363533"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2363533"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}