Spain: Several activist groups to demonstrate in Barcelona March 23

Event

Several activist groups plan to demonstrate in Barcelona March 23. Details of the confirmed demonstrations are as follows:

• Taxi drivers and road transport workers are currently leading a go-slow vehicle convoy from Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) Airport to the Parliament of Catalonia building. The purpose of the action is to denounce rising fuel prices.

• Education workers are marching from Placa Urquinaona also to the Parliament of Catalonia beginning at 12:30. The purpose of the action is to denounce changes to the number of classes that must be taught in Spanish rather than Catalan. Teachers taking part in the strike and demonstration may result in disruptions to education services throughout Catalonia.

• Several major trade unions have called for a demonstration in Placa Urquinaona at 18:00 to demand government support due to cost of living increases. Similar demonstrations are planned in other towns and cities in Catalonia.

Attendance will likely be in the thousands at demonstrations in the city center. Additional police will deploy to monitor all demonstrations. Large crowds and associated security measures, including possible road closures and movement restrictions, will likely lead to localized transport disruptions along demonstration routes, particularly the go-slow taxi protest from BCN. The actions are likely to proceed peacefully, though isolated clashes between police and protesters cannot be ruled out.

Advice

Avoid all demonstrations as a routine security precaution and to mitigate associated disruptions. Heed instructions from security services and leave the area at the first sign of a confrontation. Check for transport disruptions before beginning journeys and allow extra time for travel March 23.