70 activists block Barcelona supermarket to protest Valencia floods response

Activists blocked a Mercadona supermarket in Barcelona's Sants neighborhood on Monday.  

Some 40 demonstrators entered the supermarket and stayed to protest while 30 others prevented anyone from entering. 

The sit-in ended at 12.30 pm without incident when the Catalan police Mossos d'Esquadra identified and evacuated the protesters. 

The activists are from Arran, a youth left-wing pro-independence organization and a pro-independence student union (SEPC). 

Their action intended to denounce the actions of Carlos Mazón, head of the government of Valencia and of the "firms that endangered the lives of workers" October 29. 

They particularly criticized the CEO of Mercadona, Valencian Juan Roig, asking him to compensate workers impacted by the floodings in Valencia and grant them days off. 

Mercadona reacted to the protest and defended its actions, arguing that they have helped the employees and cities affected by the catastrophe.  

The company assures that a thousand employees have received donations, with in total €40 million given to workers. 

Roig announced a donation of €4 million to the sports department in Valencia and the vice president of Mercadona, Hortensia Herrero, also announced a similar donation to the textile industry, educational centers and associations.