Mossos d'Esquadra have deployed a device in Plaça de Catalunya to control hooded groups. The incidents have forced the closure of shops in the city centre.
The disturbances in Barcelona's Plaça de Catalunya forced the police to carry out several charges on Saturday afternoon. According to information reported by Libertad Digital, the Mossos d'Esquadra deployed a device to contain groups of activists, mostly hooded and dressed in black, who set fire to urban furniture and erected barricades.
The call was spread on social media under the slogan “Instituts Indignats”, referring to the French movement “Lyceés Indignés”, linked to the student protests of recent weeks in France. Dozens of students gathered in the square before dispersing into small groups through the nearby streets.
The fires occurred at several points. The activists set fire to several bins and erected a barricade at the junction of Carrer Bergara and the square, using containers, bins, and parked motorcycles. The Firefighters extinguished the flames, but the incidents continued with new fires and damage.
Among the damaged items were a traffic light, the glass of two bus shelters, and the terrace of the Zúrich bar, part of which was set on fire. According to Europa Press, new fires of bins were also reported, and a helicopter flew over the area.
For locals and visitors, the impact reached commerce. According to collected data, El Corte Inglés in the square closed its doors, with customers trapped inside for a time, and several establishments on Paseo de Gracia lowered their shutters. Stores like Zara protected their windows, and the Apple store removed displayed products.
The agents also asked tourists to leave the area. Authorities have not detailed the number of arrests or injuries, so it is advisable to follow the evolution of the situation through the official channels of the Mossos d'Esquadra.
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