The transition

General Franco's death in 1975 stirred the country. And soon it became evident that the process of transitioning from a dictatorial regime to a democratic one through negotiation would not be an easy or peaceful matter.

As always happens, the "troublemakers", uprooted people from Barcelona and Catalonia, appeared from the first day engaging in violent actions, wrapped in red or red and black flags. At the same time, "the vested interests" nostalgic for the dictatorship seized the opportunity and the naivety of the youth aspiring to democratic change to infiltrate provocateurs into the protest groups.

Following an almost historical pattern of action, the main scene of disorder was La Rambla. Traffic was blocked, bus tires were punctured, and if the police hadn't arrived yet, they began to break store windows. In some cases, Molotov cocktails were thrown and merchandise was stolen. Faced with this situation, on May 3, 1978, the Association called a press conference, where a spokesperson said: "The situations of vandalism and disturbances that occur every day on La Rambla are disgraceful."

A representative from the sector of hotels, restaurants, and bars stated: "I feel abandoned by the authorities, and it seems that those who act savagely are protected by them." Another merchant explained: "The chief of police in Barcelona has hinted that we should go to Madrid to speak with the minister."

The situation persisted, and on October 15, 1978, the veteran journalist Carles Sentís wrote an article in La Vanguardia titled "La Rambla, with honor," in which, among other things, he said: "La Rambla has just made an effort to preserve and enhance its pacifist and eminently popular identity: flowers on La Diada del Roser; races with participants who live there, such as Joan Gaspart, from the Hotel Oriente; and finally, in this same hotel, the appointment of Honorary Ramblistas to the President of the Generalitat and his wife Antònia Macià de Tarradellas.

There are indeed honorable ramblistas and dishonorable ramblistas. The latter title is the one that the members of the bands that months ago turned our main street into "a battleground" with burned or overturned buses, robberies, assaults, and other almost daily vandalisms deserve. And if today La Rambla and its surroundings have returned to normality, it is due to the deployment of two helmeted guard companies, prepared for defense at the most strategic corners... We must save La Rambla from any annihilating attempt."

The disturbing events on La Rambla, of course, were not exclusive to the city's main artery. In fact, they reflected the country's situation. Economic, labor, and public order conditions had worsened in 1977. In 1980, the political situation in Madrid was tense. The government party entered a crisis. The attempted coup in February 1981 deeply marked the atmosphere, but towards 1982, with a new government, a phase of social agreements and relative public calm began.