The PSOE of San Bartolomé celebrated last Friday night the third edition of the Alexis Tejera Awards ceremony, an award that honors social justice for which the former mayor of the municipality fought so hard.
Bodega Los Bermejos hosted this emotional event, which served as a just recognition for Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) and the Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT) in the Defense of Labor Rights category, for the Pequeño Valiente Association in the Solidarity and Social Commitment section, and for Concepción “Concha” Arrocha Perera as a Historical Socialist.
The award ceremony was attended by the deputy spokesperson of the Federal Executive Commission and secretary of Economic Policy, Digital Transformation, Entrepreneurship, and Social Impact, Enma López; the organization secretary of the PSOE Canarias, Nira Fierro; the general secretary of the PSOE of Lanzarote, Dolores Corujo; the mayor of San Bartolomé, Isidro Pérez; the general secretary of the Local Group, Raúl de León; the honorary president, Marcial Martín, and colleagues from the island's local groups, as well as family and friends.
The awards were received by Vanesa Frahija (CCOO), Andrés Ginés González (UGT), Esther Sánchez (Pequeño Valiente), and Concha Arrocha, who in their acceptance speeches acknowledged the work carried out by Alexis Tejera during his years of public service to the citizens of San Bartolomé.
The Legacy of Alexis Tejera
In her speech, Enma López highlighted the importance of keeping Alexis Tejera's legacy, his memory, and the values he represented alive. "He spoke of pure municipalism and was just another neighbor who spent his life on the street listening to people. There is no closer politics to the citizenry than that," she stated. She also emphasized the necessary work carried out by trade union organizations, as well as the Pequeño Valiente Foundation. She dedicated emotional words and all the gratitude of the Socialist Party to Concha Arrocha, "to whom it owes so much," because people like her, she said, "are the spirit of the PSOE."
For her part, Nira Fierro referred to Alexis Tejera as "a man committed to San Bartolomé, to his family, and to the values of this Party." She stressed that Alexis "is in the life of any socialist in every action they take; he gives a name to the recognition of the actions of these organizations and people who are so necessary and vital in these times." Regarding Concha Arrocha, she explained that in the PSOE, "this very different and diverse party, there is always someone like her who unifies and binds, who always endures without asking for anything in return and with a smile."
Dolores Corujo also emphasized the need for entities and individuals like those honored in these awards, whose function is key in the face of "a democracy threatened by a party, the PP, which has lost its basic principles, a PP embraced by the far-right that jeopardizes coexistence." She warned, however, that the PSOE will continue "guaranteeing public services as the main pillar of a progressive government, that of Pedro Sánchez."
Dolores Corujo highlighted the vital work of people who make the PSOE "very great." "The San Bartolomé Group continues to keep Alexis's memory alive, and with this award to Concha, a comrade is recognized who represents many things, not only ideology but also affection, empathy, listening, support, mediation. No one can question the courage of this strong woman, with unwavering convictions and a magnificent comrade. This recognition is a huge gesture," she expressed.
In the same vein, the mayor of San Bartolomé, Isidro Pérez, stated that one must feel "great pride in the PSOE, because it is always there where there are people in difficulty." The PSOE, he said, "is the figure of Alexis Tejera Lemes, who demonstrated that love for the citizens of his municipality is much more." Therefore, he assured that from the City Council and the PSOE of San Bartolomé, "the memory, legacy, and commitment of a socialist like Alexis will continue to be maintained."
In this regard, Raúl de León stressed that Alexis "was, ultimately, a man of the left who dedicated himself to defending the well-being of people and to valuing rights and freedoms." He explained that the San Bartolomé Group presents these III Awards with the aim of honoring the memory of the former mayor through the recognition of CCOO Canarias and UGT Canarias in the category of Defense of Labor Rights; to Fundación Pequeño Valiente in the category of Solidarity and Social Commitment; and, finally, to Concha Arrocha as a Historical Socialist for a lifetime of commitment, loyalty, and dedication to the PSOE.