Police arrest about 100 people following youth unrest in Barcelona

Authorities in Barcelona arrested around 100 people after violence and looting broke out in the city centre on Saturday. Euronews and NewsCord reported that groups of young people clashed with police, set fire to rubbish bins, erected barricades, and smashed shop windows. Other outlets including Fox News, Mezha.net, and UA.NEWS also reported that about 100 people were detained during the unrest. [1][2][3][4][5]

The disturbances began around 6 pm in the area surrounding the Plaça de Catalunya. Euronews reported that the demonstration was organised on social media using the slogan Instituts Indignats, an effort to extend the French youth movement Lycéens Indignés to Catalonia. According to Spanish media reports cited by Euronews, the gathering reached a peak of approximately 600 participants. [1]

Protesters threw stones and heavy objects at police officers during the confrontation. NewsCord noted that the clashes involved the regional police force, the Mossos d’Esquadra. Euronews reported that authorities stated about a quarter of those arrested were minors. [1][4]

The events in Spain follow broader regional unrest. As FTMQ News reported earlier, student-led protests over education funding and public service cuts have recently caused widespread disorder, clashes, and looting across France. [10]