Riots in Barcelona: More Than 50 Arrested

In depth

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Barcelona to protest the cost of living in Spain, in parallel with demonstrations in other cities across the country. Protest organizers claim that about 400,000 people took part in the demonstration in Barcelona.

On the fringes of the general strike demonstrations, severe clashes broke out in the city center. Groups of rioters confronted police forces, set fire to a barricade and garbage bins, and smashed store display windows.

During the riots, the rioters attempted to loot at several locations, including the Passeig de Gràcia area and Plaça de Catalunya. Masked individuals set barricades on fire and attacked police officers with fireworks, and police repelled the rioters. About 50 people were arrested, and about ten businesses were damaged, including an Apple store that was set on fire on the central La Rambla boulevard.