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Schools across Spain are facing renewed calls for stronger anti-bullying measures, as students rally nationwide — including hundreds in Almeria. A wave of student solidarity Thousands of pupils across Spain walked out of classrooms this week to call for urgent anti-bullying measures in schools, after the suicide of a 13-year-old from Sevilla prompted a wave of public grief and reflection. Demonstrations were reported in cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga and Bilbao, with the National Student Union estimating participation at more than 200,000 students nationwide. In Almeria, hundreds of secondary and university students gathered on Tuesday morning, October 28, marching through the city centre with handmade placards that read: “No hagamos a la víctima invisible” (“Let’s not make the victim invisible”) and: “Siempre justifican sus ojos sordos” (“They always justify their blind eyes”). The rally began near the Celia Viñas secondary school and continued toward Puerta Purchena, drawing applause and collaboration from onlookers as chants of “No al bullying” echoed through the streets. Some people decided to join in from their balconies hitting pots and pans with wooden spoons, whilst others clapped in amusement from their morning coffee spot. “Bullying comes from many places” Among the students was Javi, 17, who explained why he joined the protest. “Bullying really comes from many places,” he said. “It can be verbal or direct aggression online. In the end, bullying is anything that makes someone feel bad or unable to live comfortably — it doesn’t have to lead to suicide to be serious.” He and his classmates said the strike was not only to honour what happened in Sevilla, but to highlight what they see as a long-standing failure to address everyday harassment in schools. Several banners criticised what students described as “silence” from teachers and institutions, calling for more psychologists and training for educators to identify cases early. Voices calling to be heard Another student, Ariadna, shared how difficult it can be for young people to seek help. “Sometimes you talk and they just ignore you,” she said. “They tell you: ‘Don’t worry, they’ll stop,’ or, ‘If you ignore them, they’ll get bored.’ But in the end, it still hurts you.” Her words echoed a sentiment heard throughout the demonstrations: that bullying often thrives in silence and misunderstanding, especially when adults minimise it. Students in Almeria carried QR codes linking to helplines and mental health resources, encouraging peers to reach out if they witness or experience abuse. A national conversation reignited Spain’s Ministry of Education has expressed condolences to the family and said it is reviewing its current anti-bullying protocols, which require all schools to have a prevention plan and dedicated counsellor. Education unions, meanwhile, are urging for smaller class sizes and more psychological support staff, saying teachers often lack the time and resources to respond effectively. In the wake of the protests, several regional education departments have announced new listening sessions with students and parents. A hopeful message in Almeria Despite the sombre motivation behind the rallies, the tone in Almeria remained hopeful. “This is about learning to care for each other,” said one organiser. “If even one person decides to speak up or listen because of today, that’s already a victory.” As the chants faded, several groups stayed behind to collect rubbish from the street – a small act consistent with the message that change begins with collective responsibility.
