The Ministry of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory has initiated the procedure for the declaration of the Monument to the Lawyers of Atocha, in the Plaza de Antón Martín, in Madrid, as a Place of Democratic Memory, for its historical relevance and for the reparation of the victims.

The artistic ensemble, installed in 2002, on the proposal of Workers’ Commissions, recalls the terrorist act of which today is 48 years old and by which three labour lawyers -Enrique Valdevira Ibáñez, Luis Javier Benavides Orgaz, Francisco Javier Sauquillo-, the law student Serafín Holgado and the worker of the law firm Ángel Rodríguez Leal, were murdered by a far-right commando. In addition, Miguel Sarabia Gil, Alejandro Ruiz-Huerta Carbonell, Luis Ramos Pardo and Lola González Ruiz were seriously injured in the attack.

The attack was an attempt to end the Transition, with Atocha’s own law firm being a special symbol in the anti-Franco struggle and in defense of democratic freedoms. The actions of this office, and many others of similar characteristics, contributed to providing support to many citizens in the last years of Franco’s regime.

The Secretary of State for Democratic Memory, Fernando Martínez, and the commissioner for the celebration of Spain’s 50th anniversary in Libertad, Carmina Gustrán, today made a floral offering in front of the Monument that pays homage to the victims.

Acts of violence against the opposition to Franco's regime

In the last weeks of 1976 and throughout the month of January 1977 there were numerous acts of violence carried out by extreme right-wing groups. The attacks were directed against groups known for their opposition to Franco’s regime: democrats, lawyers, parties and organizations committed to the political break with the dictatorial regime.

The labour lawyers of the Atocha law firm were from Workers’ Commissions and militants of the Communist Party of Spain (PCE). He made arrangements with the administrations, attended to consultations of the workers and appeared in court. They were experts in labour law, social security, criminal, financial, procedural and civil law who had joined the fight to regain freedoms in Spain, in a context in which labour rights were extremely limited.

More than one hundred thousand people attended the burial of the murdered. It was one of the first mass demonstrations after the death of the dictator Francisco Franco. This event was followed by strikes and displays of solidarity throughout the country.

Democratic Memory Law

Law 20/2022, of October 19, on Democratic Memory, establishes in its preamble that knowing the trajectory of our democracy, from its origins to the present, its vicissitudes, the sacrifices of the men and women of Spain in the fight for freedoms and democracy is an inescapable duty that will contribute to strengthen our society in civic virtues and constitutional values.