Housing protesters clashed with police in Barcelona/ 13 people were arrested, and 30 officers were injured

Protests for the right to housing descended into violent unrest in central Barcelona after participants denounced rising rents and real estate speculation. Catalan police arrested 13 people, including a minor, while 30 officers sustained minor injuries.

Demonstrators called for measures to guarantee access to housing. Approximately 20,000 people took part in the march, according to the Urban Guard, while organizers estimated the turnout at 120,000. The protest, called by the Sindicat de Llogateres and other organizations, had been postponed due to a weather alert and heavy weekend rains.

The march proceeded without serious incidents until around 9:30 p.m., when authorities announced the end of the demonstration and asked participants to leave the Passeig de Gràcia–Gran Via area. After some groups refused, stones, paving slabs, bottles and other objects were thrown at police officers.

During the clashes, barricades were erected from rubbish bins, bicycles and construction materials. The violence spread toward Plaça Catalunya and La Rambla, where rubbish bins and other materials were set on fire. The Mossos reported 28 barricades and 22 fires, which were extinguished by firefighters. Street furniture and several vehicles were damaged.