The Centro Social 13 Rosas has publicly denounced the Alcalá de Henares City Council for allegedly hindering its cultural activities by denying or canceling municipal public spaces. The association claims this situation stems from discriminatory treatment based on ideological reasons and reports a campaign of “harassment and desgaste”.
According to the entity, its activities are open and aim to promote participatory culture and civic coexistence. They state they requested various municipal spaces for a gathering of local artists to discuss ways to bring culture to the streets, a proposal they believe aligns with the city's publicly defended cultural values.
The association details several incidents, such as the request for the María Zambrano Cultural Center on November 14, 2025, for an activity scheduled for November 29, which was canceled on November 26 without explanation. Subsequently, a request for the auditorium of the Department of Health was denied on November 28, after an initial favorable response.
The conflict escalated with the request for the Santa María la Rica space for an activity planned for February 28, 2026. On this occasion, the City Council not only rejected the specific request but allegedly banned future municipal space assignments to the association, citing alleged “misuse” related to an event in February 2025 that the collective denies organizing.
“"Alcalá de Henares cannot just be a symbol of culture in brochures; it must practically guarantee spaces for plural and free citizen participation. Because culture is not censored. Because public spaces belong to everyone. Because democracy is defended by exercising it."
Furthermore, the collective denounces an economic sanction imposed for a protest action during last year's August Fairs. The association explains that, after an event by the Popular Party, they took a protest photograph to highlight the victims of the “shame protocols” in Madrid residences during the pandemic. They assert the action was peaceful and had prior permission from their festive stall workers.
The City Council, however, accuses them of “bursting into” a stall and “humiliating” a political figure, arguments the association considers the basis for an “unjustified and disproportionate” sanction. The collective has filed a formal appeal against the sanction and a complaint regarding the denial of spaces, requesting a meeting with the Culture councilor and the mayor.
