Spain's PM Sánchez: Barcelona unrest is 'pure vandalism,' not democracy

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the weekend events in Barcelona, in which 130 people were detained, as "pure vandalism incited through online networks" and announced zero tolerance for violence.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the events that followed a demonstration in Barcelona over the weekend as "pure vandalism" and announced that there would be "zero tolerance" for violence.

In a written statement, Sánchez said: "What we saw in Barcelona this weekend was not an act of democracy but pure vandalism incited through online networks. An investigation is under way, and the 128 people detained will be held accountable before the courts. This government's position is clear: zero tolerance for those who advocate violence and full support for the police and shopkeepers."

Clashes began at Plaça de Catalunya

A student protest organized through an online call at Plaça de Catalunya in central Barcelona on Saturday escalated into clashes with the Catalan police force Mossos d'Esquadra. Urban furniture was damaged, and around 30 businesses near the square were looted.

According to figures updated by Catalan authorities after Sánchez's statement, the number of detainees rose to 130; 76 of those detained are minors. Fifteen police officers were injured, while damage to urban furniture reached €36,000.

Katalonya polisi Mossos d'Esquadra'nın çevik kuvvet ekipleri (arşiv)

Calls first spread on TikTok

Catalan Interior Minister Núria Parlon said the call to protest first spread on platforms such as TikTok, while organizers using false identities directed participants to group-messaging channels where instructions were issued. Parlon said they had asked WhatsApp and Telegram to shut down groups inciting violence and emphasized that zero tolerance would also be applied to a new call for Saturday, October 31.

Barcelona City Council established a €500,000 support fund for businesses that were damaged and looted. Government spokesperson Elma Saiz distinguished the events from legitimate protests over issues such as education and housing, and said the families of detained minors would also be held responsible.

Some ministers blamed the far right for the events, while People's Party (PP) leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of the main opposition party, held the government responsible for the social tension. The events took place ahead of Spain's general elections on November 29.

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