Protesters Caused Mass Unrest In Barcelona
- 25.10.2026, 14:46
More than a hundred people have been detained.
On Saturday evening in downtown Barcelona riots broke out during protests: protesters threw rocks and other heavy objects at law enforcement officers, while several groups erected barricades, set trash cans on fire, and smashed store windows.
This was reported by Euronews.
According to authorities, the riots led to the arrest of 128 people, about a quarter of whom were minors. Fifteen police officers were also injured during the clashes.
The rally was organized on social media under the slogan “Instituts Indignats” (“Outraged High School Students”). Its goal was to bring the French youth movement “Lycéens Indignés” (“Outraged High School Students”) to the Catalan capital.
According to Spanish media reports, the demonstration drew about 600 people at its peak.
The unrest began around 6:00 p.m., when several groups of young people—many of whom were dressed in black and wearing hoods—began damaging street furniture. After that, special police units arrived on the scene. This caused the demonstrators to scatter into the surrounding streets, where the clashes continued.
Protesters threw rocks and other heavy objects at law enforcement officers. Several groups erected barricades, set trash cans on fire, and smashed store windows. Police carried out forceful operations to disperse the rioters and restore control over the area.
According to La Vanguardia, about 14 stores were looted. Motorcycles, bicycles, and bus stops were also damaged during the clashes.
Due to the violence, many businesses were forced to suspend operations, and the city police restricted access to Plaça de Catalunya.
Barcelona Mayor Jaume Colboní condemned the incidents and stated that the city council would join the legal proceedings to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for the damage caused. The head of the Catalan government, Salvador Illa, also condemned the riots and supported the police’s actions.
Catalan Minister of the Interior Nuria Parlon called the incidents “unjustified violence and vandalism” and emphasized that those involved were not defending any legitimate cause.