Third day of demonstrations in support of Ukraine in Catalonia

Hundreds of people have gathered in the center of Barcelona for the third consecutive day of demonstrations to denounce the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

The protest began at 12 at Plaça Catalunya. Another demonstration is scheduled for the same time in the same place on Sunday as well. 

Demonstrators chanted anti-Putin slogans, called for strong sanctions against Russia, and warned "Today Ukraine, tomorrow Europe."

They urged Europe to react to the Russian "aggression," specifically calling for a no-fly zone to be declared and for Russia to be banned from the Swift international payment system. 

Emotions were strong from the beginning of the gathering, with angry chanting and one protester screaming in tears.

There was also an air of defiance among the group, with many chants of 'Slava Ukraini' ("Glory to Ukraine"). the country's national salute. The group also sang the Ukrainian national anthem on a number of occasions as well as various folk songs. 

Shortly after 1 pm the group started making its way down La Rambla toward Plaça Sant Jaume, where some plan to camp overnight, emulating the Maidan protests seen in Ukraine in 2014.

📽 | Ukrainian protesters have marched marched to Plaça Sant Jaume where they have been joined by Algerian protesters demonstrating against their government. They are holding signs of missing people and say there is a lack of democracy in their country

📖 https://t.co/fcgcALlvS3 pic.twitter.com/Gewi5YkRbz

— Catalan News (@catalannews) February 26, 2022

📽 | Around 600-700 Ukrainian protesters have begun to make their way down La Rambla towards Plaça Sant Jaume, where they are planning to camp out overnight

📖 | More: https://t.co/fcgcALlvS3 pic.twitter.com/tgedMfQxoK

— Catalan News (@catalannews) February 26, 2022

📽 | The Ukrainian demonstration in Barcelona’s Plaça Catalunya is gathering more and more protestors. Slogans chanted call for a no-fly zone to be declared, for Russia to be banned from Swift, and warn “Today Ukraine, tomorrow Europe”

📖 | More: https://t.co/fcgcALlvS3 pic.twitter.com/1aAoyCtKbt

— Catalan News (@catalannews) February 26, 2022

Protests first began outside the Russian consulate on Thursday morning, just hours after Vladimir Putin’s forces first began their invasion. 

Later demonstrations took place in the city center and in both locations again on Friday.