Scuffles in Barcelona between far-right & counter-protesters following terrorist attack (VIDEO)
Police were forced to intervene as scuffles broke out between far-right anti-Islam protesters and participants of a counter demonstration in Barcelona, following Thursday’s terrorist attack in the city.
Anti-fascist and far-right groups organized simultaneous protests in Barcelona just one day after a terrorist attack claimed the lives of 14 people and injured 100 more.
Scuffles broke out between the opposing groups merged near Las Ramblas at around 7pm local time.
Counter-protesters confront far-right 'Islamisation of Europe' rally in Barcelona after yesterday's deadly attack https://t.co/OrTz9b8uTdpic.twitter.com/FNBjPEuk48
— Ruptly (@Ruptly) August 18, 2017
The Spanish far-right group La Falange assembled close to the La Boquería marketplace in the city center, just 500 meters from where a van plowed into a crowd of pedestrians on Thursday.
La Falange blames “policies of multiculturalism” and immigration for the terrorist attack, for which Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) has claimed responsibility.
The far-right group has more than 11,000 Facebook ‘likes’ and often shares anti-Islamic sentiment on its page.
Uneasy standoff on #lasramblas after right protestors and counter protestors take one another on causing panic #barcelonapic.twitter.com/eByOM48YYB
— Melissa Bell (@MelissaBellCNN) August 18, 2017
The left-wing Catalan groups Arran and Endavant have set up counter-demonstrations in response to the march, and also began their protest near La Boquería.
Anti-fascist & far-right groups plan simultaneous #Barcelona protests https://t.co/WLBLC5lI4Lpic.twitter.com/ambgHvnFis
— RT (@RT_com) August 18, 2017