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The community of La Florida gathered on Saturday at noon for a heartfelt tribute to Cloe, a 15-year-old girl who was tragically killed by her former partner just weeks ago on the World Day Against Gender Violence. During the emotional ceremony, they called on the municipal council to dedicate a park in front of her former school—a space where students can come together in peace and in memory of the former IES student.
Saturday’s memorial took place directly across from the site of her untimely death in Calle Sagitario, where rose petals blanketed the ground and where a makeshift altar and small memorial garden had been created.
There was no shortage of flowers, cardboard tributes and messages of encouragement for the family, many of them handwritten by the friends who had shared a classroom with her at the Playa Flamenca institute. “Fly high dear Cloe,” they said alongside colourful paper butterflies, and a multitude of vibrant flowers.
The simple event consisted of a minute’s silence, a musical performance and the reading of a manifesto by a family friend.
He said that “Our proposal is quite clear. What we are asking of the Orihuela Council is that the money from the participatory budgets be used to renovate the green area in front of the Orihuela Costa institute, where a new park be named after Cloe, and in which a small corner be dedicated to keep the memory of this tragedy alive.
The eulogy reminded us of the necessity of standing against violence, and the enduring power of community and love. It concluded by saying, “Though her time here has ended, her memory will live on in all of us—in the stories we share, in the lessons we carry, and in the love that binds us together as we honor her legacy”.
Two of Cloe’s young school friends courageously spoke a few words in her memory, breaking into tears as they did so. Their bravery was met with spontaneous applause from the crowd, which shared in the grief and love for the young girl whose life was cut so tragically short.
They were joined by one of the school’s teachers who also spoke, offering words of affection and encouragement to the family, who were also present.
A tree was planted nearby in memory, by her friends, with its base framed by a ring of white stones in the shape of a heart. A group of children also wrote messages, which they then burned as an offering, the ashes from which will be handed to the family.
The platform said that it is optimistic that the Council will respond to their requests and those of the family. If not, they will deliver a question to be asked at an upcoming municipal plenary meeting of the council. In addition, ‘In memory of Cloe’ they asked the authorities to take a closer look at the acute lack of local facilities available to the youth of the Orihuela Costa, where there are absolutely no leisure areas to go to or socialise in.
The municipal government has already stated that it will study the park proposal.
Unfortunately, it will not be the first time that the Council has had to erect a plaque in memory of a schoolgirl who died in tragic circumstances. In a children’s play area on Calle Nicolás de Bussy, there is already an olive tree and a memorial commemorating Shila, a Norwegian girl who was murdered and raped by another young man in 2004.
Among those attending on Saturday were representatives of several political parties, including Carolina Gracia and several PSOE councillors, the councillor for the Coast and deputy mayor, Manuel Mestre (Vox). Also present were the former coordinator of the pedáneos and leader of CLARO, Antonio Cerdán, the leader of the PIOC Independence Party, Román Jiménez, the president of AIDOC, Luis Carcedo, and representatives of the Unidos por la Costa neighbourhood association.
The event highlighted the strength and unity of the community, coming together to mourn, remember, and to stand in unison against gender violence.
The service ended with heartfelt words dedicated to Cloe, offering a touching reminder of all she still had to give: “You deserved so much more, but in the time you had, you gave us everything. Rest in peace and Fly High dear Cloe. You will always be missed and forever cherished.”
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