Pro-Franco demonstrations had been banned by the Spanish government during today's moving of the dictator's remains from the highly controversial Valle de los Caídos to Mingorrubio cemetery. That didn't stop almost half a thousand demonstrators trying to reach his destination mausoleum, however. They ended up spending the morning some 300 metres (1000ft) from their goal, with officers of the Spanish National Police Corps blocking the way. There was no tension between the rally and police, only with the press, who they criticised for "staining the name" of their hero.
In the end, they were finally allowed to get closer to the cemetery. After the High Courtof Justice of Madrid overturned the protest ban, the police had no option but to let them past. As such, some 200 protesters, including even some priests, were able to march up to the graveyard gates. With a microphone and speaker, and carrying his portrait, they prayed the Ave Maria in Spanish.
They started to leave once the private mass inside the cemetery for Franco's soul had finished. In fact, on the way, they walked past the minibuses which had carried the dictator's grandchildren, along with their partners and children. They gathered around the vehicles to express their support to the family. Franco's grandson Francis walked out on foot, also greeted enthusiastically by the crowd: "you're not alone," they chanted. Once at the graveyard, the prayers continued.