PROTESTERS SEEKING change in how Spanish society and economy is run, who have camped in city squares across the country for the past 12 days, yesterday clashed with police for the first time after authorities dismantled a camp in the centre of Barcelona.
Police and clean-up trucks moved into the city’s Placa de Catalunya, with about 200 protesters being corralled peacefully in the centre of the square. Protesters were told they were not being evicted and would be allowed back, but municipal workers took away tents, mattresses, tarpaulins, computers and materials used to build the camp.
Trouble erupted when thousands of supporters arrived and blocked access roads. Police cleared routes out of the square by using batons, reportedly injuring 99 people and arresting two.
Video footage shows bloodied demonstrators being beaten by police. Protesters said police also used pepper spray and rubber bullets. The Catalan regional government said it ordered police into the square so it could be cleaned.
Authorities were reportedly concerned the camp might be a focus for violence tonight when crowds are expected to take to the streets if the city’s football team wins the Champions League final against Manchester United.
Demonstrators were allowed into the square after the clean-up and started to rebuild the camp. Peaceful demonstrations against the police action were called last night in Barcelona, Madrid and dozens more cities. The clean-up came after pressure to remove the camps throughout Spain, but protesters said they would stay in place until Sunday at the earliest. – (Guardian)