Police In Spain Cracked Down On Pro-Palestine Protesters During A Nationwide Strike
At least 15 people were arrested, mostly young people, after the clashes.
Spanish police cracked down on pro-Palestine protesters demonstrating across the country on Wednesday, Oct. 15 as part of a nationwide strike against Israel’s genocide.
In Barcelona, police arrested at least 15 pro-Palestine protesters, mostly minors, following clashes that broke out ahead of a basketball match between Israeli club Hapoel Jerusalem and Spanish team Baxi Manresa on Oct. 15.
The demonstration began peacefully outside a hotel near Barcelona's Sants Station, where protesters aimed to block the Israeli team's arrival at the stadium.
The protests intensified as thousands gathered outside the Israeli team’s hotel before the game.
Organizers claimed up to 50,000 people participated in the rally, while police estimated the crowd at 15,000.
Many protesters sat on the ground to form a blockade around the bus carrying the players.
The team was then forced to move to a hotel more than an hour from the stadium after its original booking was canceled over safety concerns.
Catalan police used batons and pepper spray to disperse the blockade, saying officers were trying to ensure the team’s safe passage.
Videos shared on social media showed people running as police advanced through the crowd.
Witnesses told Ara.cat that several protesters were injured.
Protests also took place across several other cities including Madrid, Seville, Valencia and Bilbao.
Small groups of protesters vandalized businesses that support Israel’s genocide in Gaza including Burger King, Starbucks and McDonald's.
The EuroCup match went ahead later that night behind closed doors, without spectators.
Hapoel Jerusalem lost 101-94.
Sofia Hou
Kassy Cho
Cherry Mohamed
