Residents call for 'drastic reduction' in cruises at Barcelona rally

Barcelona and Tarragona residents marched through the center of the Catalan capital on Sunday in protest against cruise ships. Around 150 people, according to local Guàrdia Urbana police, called for a "drastic reduction" in cruise liners docking at Barcelona and Tarragona ports. 

The protest, organized by the Stop Creuers (Stop Cruises) environmental organization, started at midday outside the Port of Barcelona and finished at Plaça Sant Jaume square, where the the city hall and government headquarters are located. Demonstrators walked along La Rambla boulevard to the bemusement of unsuspecting tourists.

Our goal is to reduce the number of cruises so much that "it is close to zero," organizers said. They accuse cruise lines of greenwashing over the benefits of liquefied natural gas (LNG), electric boats, and green hydrogen.