Police arrested 7 anti-fascist demonstrators on Saturday in Barcelona after some threw stones and eggs at a security cordon that separated them from a far-right Vox party event.
Vox organised a rally in the Catalan capital with its leader, Santiago Abascal. Far-right Vox supporters demanded the arrest of President Quim Torra and former leader Carles Puigdemont, currently on exile.
Hundreds of anti-fascists demonstrated nearby, amid high security measures to keep both events apart.
There were scenes of unrest as Catalan police agents (the Mossos d’Esquadra) tried to maintain the security cordon.
As a result, seven people were arrested. Five others were injured, most of them for minor injuries, including one police officer.
Political parties from across the Catalan political spectrum – including some in favour and against independence – condemned the presence of the far-right in the city and defended democratic values.
Mayor Ada Colau said Barcelona represents ‘love, respect and tolerance’ and urged citizens to avoid confronting far-right activists in the streets.
Socialist mayor candidate Jaume Collboni said the Catalan capital is an ‘open’ city and insisted there is no room for ‘hate speech’.
From the pro-independence front, ERC’s Gabriel Rufián said his party will always create a ‘wall against extremists’.