09 May 2019 | 10:04 AM UTC
Spain: University students plan strike and protest in Barcelona May 9
University students in Barcelona call for a strike and related protests on May 9 over university fees; associated demonstrations and disruptions possible
Event
Students are expected to strike in Barcelona on Thursday, May 9, to protest increasing university fees in the Catalonia region. Students have called for associated demonstrations to take place in Barcelona at 12:00 (local time) at Placa de la Universitat. Earlier in the day, students blocked train traffic between the Bellaterra and Unviersistat Autonoma stations, with burning tyres. Localized transportation disruptions and a heightened security presence are likely to persist in the coming hours; clashes between demonstrators and security forces cannot be ruled out. Further such strikes and protests are likely in the coming days.
Context
Students in Catalonia demand an effective reduction of 30 percent of the university fees in Catalonia, after the non-application of a motion approved in that sense in Parliament in 2016.
Advice
Individuals in Catalonia are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all public demonstrations as a precaution, anticipate localized disruption and a heightened security presence in the event of any demonstrations, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.
