On the evening of 24 October, large-scale riots broke out in the centre of Barcelona following a youth protest organised via social media. Around 600 participants gathered in Plaça de Catalunya, after which small groups began smashing up shops, setting fire to rubbish bins and clashing with the police. Law enforcement officers arrested around 100 people, including 27 minors. According to the Catalan authorities, 14 shops were damaged or looted, and more than 30 fires were reported across the city.
- On 24 October, a youth protest in Barcelona escalated into mass unrest.
- The police detained around 100 people, including 27 minors.
- In the city centre, 14 shops were damaged or burgled.
- Law enforcement officers recorded more than 30 separate fires.
- The Catalan authorities have condemned the violence, whilst Barcelona City Council is preparing legal action.
What happened in the centre of Barcelona on 24 October
The disturbances began at around 6.00 pm local time in Plaça de Catalunya — one of the most popular spots among Barcelona’s residents and tourists.
The protest, announced on social media under the slogan Instituts Indignats («The Indignant Lyceums»), hundreds of young people turned up. The name echoes the French movement Lycées Indignés, whose participants have been carrying out student protests in France.
According to the Catalan police force, the Mossos d’Esquadra, some of those present were dressed in black and had their faces covered. Shortly afterwards, small groups began overturning rubbish bins and motorbikes, erecting makeshift barricades and setting fire to street furniture.
Following the intervention by the police, the protesters split into smaller groups and scattered into the surrounding streets. Stones and other hard objects were thrown at the police.
100 people, including 27 minors, were arrested in Barcelona
According to updated figures released following the riots, The Catalan police detained around 100 people. Among them are 27 minors.
Minister for the Interior of Catalonia Nuria Parlon reported that the largest number of participants — around 600 — were in the city centre at the height of the unrest. Law enforcement officers deployed special units to disperse groups that were attacking police officers and damaging property. According to Spanish media reports, more than 220 police officers and municipal security staff were involved in the operation.
Shop looting and over 30 fires
Shops near Plaça de Catalunya sustained the most damage.
According to the regional authorities, Those involved in the riots damaged or looted 14 shops. They smashed shop windows, broke into shops and carried goods away.
Law enforcement officers also recorded more than 30 small fires. Rubbish bins, rubbish heaps and other items on the streets were on fire.
Some shops closed early. In particular, the El Corte Inglés shopping centre lowered its security shutters to prevent looting. As a result, some shoppers were temporarily trapped inside the building.
The police have cordoned off the approaches to Plaça de Catalunya, and public transport services in the area have been restricted. In particular, access to the metro station of the same name has been temporarily closed.
The Catalan authorities have responded to the unrest
President of the Catalan Government Salvador Ilya He condemned the violence and backed the actions of the law enforcement agencies. He emphasised that taking part in peaceful demonstrations is a democratic right, but that attacks on people, intimidation and the destruction of property cannot be justified by the demands of the protesters.
Mayor of Barcelona Jaume Collboni stated that the city authorities would seek legal redress for the damage caused. According to him, the consequences may affect not only adult participants in the riots, but also the legal guardians of minors — in cases provided for by law.
Nuriya Parlon, for her part, described the incidents as acts of vandalism and stated that they were not backed by any clearly formulated demands.
Are the riots in Barcelona linked to the protests in France?
The demonstration in Barcelona took place against the backdrop of a wave of youth demonstrations in several European countries, particularly in France.
Announcements about the gathering were circulated under a title similar to the slogan of the French student protests. However, no official link has been established between the French movements and the groups involved in the riots in Barcelona.
The Catalan authorities also emphasised that the incidents were not linked to the peaceful camp set up by activists who have been protesting for several weeks in Plaça de Catalunya in support of affordable housing.
Consequently, despite the youth-led nature of the protest and the slogans borrowed from elsewhere, the police are treating the riots and attacks as separate offences.
As of 25 October, the authorities are continuing to assess the damage and establish the involvement of those detained in specific incidents of violence.
