Collboni warns of a strong response to violence in Barcelona

The Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, defends the right to protest during the general strike on 11-N, but warns that the City Council will respond firmly to violent acts.

Institutions must guarantee the right to demonstration and protest during the general strike on 11-N, as defended by the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, in an interview on the Cafè d’idees programme on La 2Cat. According to the mayor, the discontent expressed by the call has real reasons, especially regarding the cost of living and housing.

Collboni separates protest from vandalism. He rejects the idea that violence serves to express discontent and, in his words, "one thing is the right to protest, legitimate demonstration, and another is gratuitous violence." Therefore, he believes the City Council must give a strong response to such behaviours.

"One thing is the right to protest, legitimate demonstration, necessary for a healthy and consolidated democracy, and another is gratuitous violence."

The mayor recalled the disturbances recorded in Barcelona on 24 October and reiterated his condemnation. He warned that these acts have consequences for those over 18 years who participated and also for minors, reminding that in the case of the latter, parents will have to assume responsibility.

Collboni will not support the strike. He explained that as mayor, he must be in his position to oversee the day and ensure the normal functioning of the city, adding that both the right of those who wish to stop and those who decide to work must be protected.

Regarding the camp in Plaça Catalunya, the mayor described it as a "democratic and peaceful protest." As long as it maintains that character, he said, there are no grounds for intervention, and there is no deadline for eviction.

The City Council is in contact with the participants and, in the mayor's opinion, the concentration does not violate the municipal ordinance prohibiting free camping, as it is an act of protest protected by the Constitution. Collboni recalled that in Madrid, a judge was asked for an eviction order from Puerta del Sol two or three times, and the request was rejected.

Regarding a possible lawsuit from any party over the management of the camp, the mayor said he is not concerned and that it will be a judge who decides. He also reiterated that the City Council will not allow illegal tapping of the electricity supply to service the camp.

On security matters, Collboni highlighted that three of the six cases of repeat offenders in which the Barcelona City Council has acted as a popular accusation have ended with the accused in provisional prison.