Hundreds take to the streets in Barcelona to protest against fascism

This Saturday hundreds of people took to the streets in Barcelona once more, this time to protest against the impunity of recent far-right aggressions against residents, police, and journalists in Catalonia and Valencia.

Under the slogan “United Against Fascism and Racism,” protesters have marched down one of Barcelona’s main roads, Via Augusta, to the top end of the major shopping boulevard, the Passeig de Gracia, which has been a focal point for many recent pro-independence demonstrations.

So far, it has not been a simple walk in the park. Tensions erupted with the appearance of far-right and pro-Spain groups. Insults were exchanged by both sides, prompting a heavy police presence from the Mossos d'Esquadra, as the ominous sound of a helicopter circling overhead filled the air.

The demonstration took place just two days after Barcelona City Council approved a measure that could effectively prevent far-right rallies from taking place in the city, in response to recent acts of extremist violence.

It was organized by United Against Fascism and Racism (UAFR), with memberships from more than 130 other groups, including the trade unions CCOO and UGT, as well as the radical left-wing CUP party, and the vice-president’s party ERC.