Spain: Police protest in Barcelona October 6

Event

Members of the Mossos d'Esquadra, the Catalan police force, have scheduled a protest to take place in Barcelona on Saturday, October 6, over events that transpired on October 1. Protesters will rally at the Plaça Universitat at 18:00 (local time). Police have accused the government of putting their physical integrity at risk when tasked to maintain public order, through a lack of resources and/or training.

Context

Separatist protesters staged a demonstration in front of Catalonia's regional Parliament in Barcelona on October 1, after having attempted to block traffic in the city's vicinity. Clashes broke out between police and protesters as the latter tried to breach the Parliament's perimeter. An audio recording broadcast by local media revealed a police officer reporting a lack of manpower made available to contain the situation.

Advice

Individuals in Barcelona are advised to avoid all demonstrations as a precaution and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities.