Half a million people take part in anti-terror rally in Barcelona

Half a million people took part in a huge anti-terror demonstration in Barcelona on Saturday. After the terrorist attacks that killed 15 people last week, citizens took to the streets under the motto 'No Tinc Por' ('I'm Not Afraid'), a phrase that was repeatedly chanted during the march and which has come to epitomize Catalonia’s determination to overcome fear and hatred.

Representatives of emergency services and community members who responded to the attacks were at the head of the rally. Citizens applauded them when they arrived at the demonstration, while many put flowers on police cars and ambulances to show their appreciation.

There were also thousands of flags: Catalan flags, Spanish flags and estelades — the Catalan pro-independence flag. It was remarkably unusual to see them next to each other after years of political clashes over Catalonia’s right of self-determination. Yet, for some hours, people carrying different flags coexisted without any troubles — or, at least, this is what it seemed.

Controversy

After this week’s controversy over who should lead the march, politicians ended up standing a few meters behind the front. Authorities included Catalan president Carles Puigdemont and Barcelona mayor Ada Colau. However, the presence of some other officials were not as welcome.

When King Felipe VI arrived, many booed, whistled, and shouted “go away”. While some chanted in his support, most of the crowd voiced their displeasure at his presence. There were signs which read “Felipe, people who want peace don’t deal in weapons” or “We want peace, not arms sales.”