Supporters for Catalan independence are holding protests against central government on the day commemorating the victims of last year's terrorist attacks in two cities of the region, despite the requests of the victims' families to the contrary.
BARCELONA/MADRID (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 17th August, 2018) Supporters for Catalan independence are holding protests against central government on the day commemorating the victims of last year's terrorist attacks in two cities of the region, despite the requests of the victims' families to the contrary.
On August 17-18, 2017, the cities of Barcelona and Cambrils in the Spanish autonomous community of Catalonia saw two van-ramming attacks, which killed dozens of people and left more than 100 injured. The Islamic State terrorist group (IS, outlawed in Russia) claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Rioters gathered near the Columbus Monument in Barcelona, holding placards reading "Their business, our deaths," "The Catalan Republic has no king," and "You are not welcome here," referring to Spain's King Felipe VI.
Protesters tried to walk through Ramblas street, where one of the terrorist attacks occurred last year, but police would only allow them to do so after the official commemorative ceremony was finished. Numerous social organizations have supported the riot.
Spanish leadership, including Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, the king, members of parliament, at the invitation of Catalan President Quim Torra, are taking part in commemorative events in Catalonia on Friday and Saturday to mark the first anniversary of the two terror attacks.
On the eve of the anniversary, relatives of victims and a number of public organizations made an appeal to declare a "truce" on this day because they did not want political riots to happen.
