Last Saturday, approximately 1,500 people joined a major demonstration in central Barcelona. Around 160 organisations participated in the protest against fascism and racism. The march began at the iconic Passeig de Gràcia and concluded at Plaça d’Idrissa Diallo.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Unitat Contra el Feixisme i el Racisme (UCFR) organised the event, which drew a diverse crowd. They demanded “rights for everyone” during the peaceful march through the city centre. Municipal sources, citing the Guàrdia Urbana, confirmed the attendance figures.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Iolanda Maurici, a spokesperson for UCFR, highlighted the urgency of public action. She stated, “Given the rise of the far-right, we must take to the streets to denounce their attacks.” Maurici added that the demonstration aimed “to be a meeting point to show that there are more of us, and we will stand united.”
Maurici also criticised a new deportation regulation approved by the Catalan Parliament this week. She described the legislation as “the same as Trump’s” and called for “regularisation for everyone.” This policy significantly impacts many non-EU residents and migrant communities across Catalonia.
Honouring Idrissa Diallo
The protest’s destination, Plaça d’Idrissa Diallo, holds profound historical and social significance for Barcelona. This square, located at the end of Via Laietana in the Ciutat Vella district, honours Idrissa Diallo. He was a young Guinean immigrant who tragically died in 2012 while detained at the Foreigners Internment Centre (CIE) in Zona Franca.
Diallo suffered heart failure and passed away in a hospital on 5 January 2012, after being transferred from the CIE. The square previously bore the name of enslaver Antonio López. Barcelona City Council officially renamed it in 2021, reflecting a commitment to historical justice and human rights. This renaming was a significant moment for local anti-racism movements.
Global Anti-Fascist Movement
Barcelona’s demonstration was part of a broader international movement against extremism. Similar marches took place in 150 cities worldwide under the banner “A World Against Fascism and Racism” (WARAF). These global protests spanned continents, including Europe, South Africa, Japan, and Malawi.
Additionally, around 3,000 actions occurred in the United States. These American protests specifically targeted the authoritarian policies of former President Donald Trump. The collective demonstrations underscore a widespread global concern regarding rising extremism and the importance of unified resistance. Activists in Barcelona continue to monitor legislative developments and plan further actions.
Originally published by Tot Barcelona. Read original article.
