Thousands protest in Oviedo after far-right assault on two activists at San Mateo festival

Violent assault at the San Mateo festivities

The attack took place past 3:00 a.m. on Friday during the opening night of Oviedo's annual San Mateo festivities in the Plaza de la Catedral. Former Somos Oviedo councillor Rubén Rosón and physician Jorge Fernández, both members of the social group AMA Asturies, were packing up equipment at the Fiestes Populares booth when a group of eight youths approached the installation. The attackers began striking the structure and attempting to tear down anti-racist placards and a rainbow LGTBI flag. When Rosón and Fernández intervened to prevent the destruction, the group responded with physical violence, punching and kicking both volunteers until they fell to the ground. Four individuals repeatedly kicked Fernández in the head while he lay unconscious, shouting slogans including "Arriba España" along with homophobic and far-right slurs.

Medical care and police investigation

Emergency services transferred both volunteers by ambulance to the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA) for medical examinations. Rosón sustained contusions and a wound requiring five stitches, while Fernández suffered multiple blows including direct impacts to the head. Both men received medical discharges later that day before formally lodging criminal complaints with the National Police, which opened an investigation into the perpetrators. In televised remarks, Rosón described the violence inflicted during the confrontation.

“To my companion Jorge, after being knocked unconscious, four people kicked him in the head, with shouts of 'Reds!', 'Guarros!' and 'Arriba España!'.”

Fernández noted that the assault caused deep concern among local residents, many of whom expressed fear regarding safety when walking in public spaces.

Demonstration fills Plaza de la Catedral

On Saturday evening at 19:00, thousands of citizens assembled in the Plaza de la Catedral to condemn the assault under the slogan "Asturies sin miedo". Organizers from Fiestes Populares and AMA Asturies estimated the crowd at 5,000 people, carrying rainbow flags, anti-racist placards, and a banner calling for class unity against fascism. The mobilization began as a static gathering in the main cathedral square before converting into a march that traversed several central streets during the festival weekend. Rosón and Fernández attended the mobilization in person to thank the crowd and address the public directly.

“We want to thank each and every one of the thousands of people who are filling the Plaza de la Catedral, the main square of the capital of Asturias, leaving it very clear that fascism is not welcome in our land, that in Asturias we are a welcoming region, that in Oviedo we are a welcoming city, that we want coexistence, and that we want hate expelled from our streets.”

Political presence and festival dispute

The Saturday protest drew representatives from across local and national political parties. Municipal government figures attended the gathering, including festivities councillor Covadonga Díaz and citizen security councillor José Ramón Prado. Regional and national political figures also joined the crowd, including former parliamentarian Gaspar Llamazares, PSOE mayoral candidate Sergio Llera, and Izquierda Unida federal coordinator Antonio Maíllo. During the rally, attendees called on the municipal administration to preserve the open, community-focused character of the San Mateo celebrations against management changes implemented under recent Popular Party administrations. Speakers at the event criticized right-wing rhetoric from Vox and the PP, attributing part of the social tension to political attacks on progressive symbols.