Groups of masked protesters clashed with police in Barcelona on Wednesday night, 11 November, hurling stones, bottles, and fireworks during a demonstration near Passeig de Gràcia and Plaça de Catalunya. The unrest escalated as rubbish bins and street furniture were set alight, creating burning barricades, while shop windows were smashed and stores reportedly looted.
Video footage captured flames engulfing the barricades, with protesters facing off against riot police, who used crowd-control projectiles and baton charges to disperse the crowds. As the disturbances spread towards Las Ramblas, the Catalonia’s Mossos d’Esquadra police intervened.
The violent clashes broke out after an otherwise peaceful mass demonstration, which municipal police estimated attracted over 55,000 people, while organisers claimed the number was closer to 400,000. As the night progressed, rioters vandalised shops and set fire to bins, throwing objects at officers. Authorities reported that 18 individuals were arrested during the unrest, bringing the total for the day to 20. Catalan President Salvador Illa condemned the violence, emphasising that it contradicted the spirit of the original peaceful protest.
The unrest coincided with Spain’s first 24-hour general strike since 2012, a nationwide action that trade unions say mobilised around four million workers. This protest reflects a growing wave of social discontent over housing costs, stagnant wages, and inflation seen across various European countries. With Spain’s snap election scheduled for 29 November, the unrest places significant pressure on the government.
