Tension in the center of Barcelona due to the clash of two demonstrations for Ceuta

BarcelonaHundreds of people gathered this Wednesday in Barcelona due to the migration crisis in Ceuta, but unlike other cities in the State, in the Catalan capital they concentrated in two opposing sides. Half a thousand anti-fascists stood up to the call supported by Vox and Núcleo Nacional, but also the PP, which defended the Spanish nature of the autonomous city and advocated for the expulsion of all the immigrants who still remain there. Tension did not take long to arrive.

Before the two acts began, two of the protesters from the Spanish nationalist call were assaulted as they left the Jaume I metro station by a group of anti-fascists, who took their Spanish flags. Different units of the Mossos d'Esquadra positioned themselves in the middle of Plaça de Sant Jaume, with a demonstration on each side, and also at the enclave of Carrer Ciutat to prevent the anti-fascists from blocking the arrival of protesters to the other call, who were heckled and insulted.

The exchange of chants between the two sides has been a constant during the more than two hours that the demonstrations lasted, with shouts of "Pedro Sánchez, son of a bitch" and "re-emigration" by the ultra supporters and "They shall not pass", "Anti-fascist Catalonia" and "Here are the anti-fascists" from the other side. While the former carried Spanish flags and signs saying "Ceuta is Spain" or "It is an invasion", the anti-fascists carried Palestinian flags and esteladas.

When the two demonstrations were called off, there were also moments of tension as protesters from one side and the other encountered each other. Finally, the anti-fascists left the demonstration escorted by the Mossos d'Esquadra along Ferran Street, chanting anti-fascist slogans.