MADRID, (The Palestine Foundation Pakistan)The Spanish city of Barcelona continues its pro-Palestine demonstrations for the third consecutive day, as a massive march took place on Saturday morning with hundreds of thousands of protesters, supported and organized by over 500 organizations and civil associations.
The organizers called on governments, institutions, and companies to cut all ties with Israel, condemning “colonialism, genocide, apartheid, and the Israeli occupation of Palestine.”
Leaders of the demonstration expressed hope that this would be the largest solidarity event ever held in Catalonia in support of the Palestinian people. They also urged participants to wear black as a symbol of mourning for the victims of the war.
The march began at 12:00 noon from Jardinets de Gràcia (Salvador Espriu Gardens) and first stopped in front of the European Commission’s headquarters in Barcelona, where activists urged the European Union to take concrete steps to protect the Palestinian people and impose measures against Israel.
The event was organized by several bodies and organizations, including the Palestinian community in Catalonia, the “Stop Complicity with Israel” coalition, the Global Freedom Flotilla, and labor unions such as CCOO, UGT, and Intersindical, as well as neighborhood associations, feminist groups, and global justice organizations like LaFede.
The demonstration also came in response to the Israeli navy’s interception of the humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza, which had departed from Barcelona on August 31. Among those detained were former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau and Catalan parliament member Pilar Castillejo, sparking a new wave of public outrage.
On Friday, thousands of students organized a march from University Square to Drassanes Square, where they set up a temporary solidarity camp with Gaza.
Organizers affirmed that they would continue their sit-in until the Spanish government cuts trade ties with Israel or until a humanitarian corridor to the Gaza Strip is opened.
