Around 4,000 people gathered this Wednesday at Paseo Real in Antequera to reject male violence, following the murder of María, a 30-year-old local resident. The civic mobilization joined the institutional minute of silence held hours earlier in San Sebastián square.
The town of Antequera in Málaga experienced a day of mourning and protest against gender violence on Wednesday, July 22. Following the institutional gathering in San Sebastián square, which included a minute of silence, a massive citizen demonstration took place at Paseo Real, where around 4,000 people gathered. Both events were in response to the murder of María, a 30-year-old woman, which occurred on Monday, July 20.
The Antequera City Council, led by Mayor Manolo Barón, declared two days of official mourning following the news of the crime. This measure remained in effect throughout Wednesday, during which acts of condemnation took place. According to municipal sources, the citizen response has been the largest in recent years in the region against male violence.
The institutional gathering began after an Extraordinary Plenary held at the Town Hall. The mayor, the spokespersons of the municipal groups (Ana Cebrián from the PP, José Luis Ruiz from the PSOE, and Pilar Ruiz from IU), as well as representatives from the Junta de Andalucía and the Málaga Provincial Council attended. Local Police, the National Police Corps, the Civil Guard, the Provincial Fire Consortium, and Civil Protection were also present.
During the event, a joint institutional declaration was read, describing male violence as a serious violation of human rights. The text conveyed condolences to the victim's family, especially to her parents and children. A fragment of the declaration, reported by sources from the Town Hall, stated: "No words can repair such a cruel loss, but we want you to know that all of Antequera stands by your side and shares your suffering."
Mayor Manolo Barón spoke after the Plenary, calling for a unified response from the public, expressing rejection and condemnation. He described male violence as a blatant reality primarily affecting women and defended the need for resources, education, and legal measures to eradicate it. Barón also expressed concern about the incidence of these crimes in the province of Málaga and across the country, urging vigilance.
The mayor focused on the victim's children and offered the City Council's collaboration, through the municipal areas of Social Services and Childhood, to address their needs within municipal competencies. "From the Town Hall, we are prepared to support in any way we can," he stated.
The citizen mobilization at Paseo Real, which took place peacefully and in a solemn atmosphere, highlighted society's weariness with the persistence of gender violence. Residents of all ages carried banners and chanted slogans against mistreatment. The combination of both events—the institutional and the citizen—marks July 22 as a significant date in the fight against male violence in Antequera.
The murder of María, whose identity has not been fully disclosed out of respect for her family, has shocked the region. The 30-year-old woman lost her life on Monday, July 20, under circumstances that are being investigated by the Civil Guard. Investigation sources have confirmed that this is a case of gender violence, although no further details about the alleged aggressor have been released.
The Government Delegation against Gender Violence has been informed of the incident. If confirmed as a male crime, it would be the first such murder in the province of Málaga this year, according to official data. In Andalucía, the number of fatalities due to gender violence in 2026 amounts to several dozen, a reality that, according to feminist groups, demands urgent measures.
Antequera has sought to provide a lesson in unity and solidarity. The concentration at Paseo Real was not only an act of mourning but also a demand for justice and effective policies to prevent these deaths. The City Council has announced that it will maintain collaborative ties with the Junta de Andalucía and the Provincial Council to strengthen resources for victim support in the locality.
For residents wishing to join support initiatives, the City Council has set up the phone number for the Social Services area (952 70 00 00) and reminds that 016 is the free number for victims of gender violence, which leaves no trace on the bill.
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