Students, professors reflect on Madrid bomb attacks

Bombs exploded in Madrid trains and subway stations March 11, causing people from all over the world to be affected, including students attending IU. The attacks, which killed 191 people and injured more than 1,800, have had a direct effect on a number of individuals at IU, either because of personal loss or because they felt an affinity for the victims and those affected.\n"As an American, I empathized with the general feeling of shock and disgust that vibrated throughout Spain, Europe and the world following the attacks," said James Baldwin, an IU senior who is spending a semester abroad in Spain.\nSuch empathy has been felt by individuals throughout the world, Baldwin added. \nVigils have been held all over Spain, and officials from around the world attended a state funeral led by King Juan Carlos I of Spain and Cardinal Antonio Rouco Varela, archbishop of Madrid.\nAlong with the emotional impact of the bombings, the attacks have also been noted to have political repercussions.\nAccording to the CNN Web site, the ruling conservatives were ousted from power as "angry voters punished the government in the emotional aftermath."\n"I don't think that a lot of people have changed their (political) opinions after the bombings," said Juan Carlos Conde, a professor in the Spanish and Portuguese department and a Madrid native. "The popularity of the Aznar government was steadily decreasing. Remember in March 2003, 90 percent of the Spanish population was against the Spanish government's policy in Iraq."\nJunior Jeanette Schaller said the bombings have also pulled the somewhat divided country together. Some Spanish provinces have wanted to secede, but the terrorist attacks brought the country a sense of unity, she said.\n"This was the first time in a long time that all of the Spanish provinces were acting in the same interest." \nThe attacks in Spain, however, have spurred new safety ideas, both in Europe and the United States. \nU.S. Under Secretary for Border & Transportation Security Asa Hutchinson suggested March 24 that funds from a $1.4 billion anti-terrorist federal fund be utilized in urban areas that are more likely to be attacked, like New York City, to increase security on the nation's rails. \nConde said madrilenos, citizens of Madrid, are used to tight security measures and, despite some initial uneasiness, most have felt safe in Spain.\n"I didn't feel unsafe at all," said junior Amy Lerner, referring to her spring break visit to Madrid. \nThe European Union's 25 current members, and the 10 nations soon to join, have also been attempting to create additional defenses against potential terrorist attacks. \nSenior and Indiana Daily Student writer Julia Blanford, who is studying in Spain, echoed the feeling of safety Lerner conveyed. However, she said she knows to use common sense in certain situations.\nFor example, she said while traveling during spring break in Spain, if she encounters anyone "possibly even the smallest bit anti-American, I'm just going to say I'm from Canada and move on. No one ever really gets mad at the Canadians."\nDespite vigils still being held all over Madrid, Conde believes the city will return to "its characteristic festive mood." \nSchaller added it will just take some time for Madrid's vivaciousness to return. \n"(It is) one of the most important events in Spain's history."\n-- Contact staff writer Claire Bartel at cebartel@indiana.edu.