Anti-system rioters loot shops and set fires in Barcelona

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 25 Oct, 00:50 · Archive

Around 100 people were arrested after hooded demonstrators looted shops and set fires in Barcelona's central Plaza de Catalunya.

Around 100 people were arrested after hooded demonstrators responding to social media posts from an 'against the system' movement looted shops and set fire to street furniture around Barcelona's central Plaza de Catalunya on Saturday night. The interior minister for Catalonia, Núria Parlon, said around 25 per cent of those arrested were minors. More than 30 fires were lit and 14 stores were vandalised or looted in the area popular with tourists and weekend shoppers.

Demonstrators were mobilised through social media posts using the slogan 'Institut Indignats', a translation of the movement 'Lyceés Indignés' which was used to rally students protesting in France in recent weeks. Social media videos showed people trapped inside shops including department store El Corte Ingles after shutters were lowered to prevent looting. Other footage showed hooded demonstrators dressed in black kicking in shop windows and making off with goods, in some cases encouraged by online viewers.

Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni said acts of vandalism in the city 'will not go unpunished', including legal consequences for the guardians of any minors involved.

Anti-system rioters loot shops and set fires in Barcelona — Image: The West Australian

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How it is being reported

Anti-system rioters loot shops, set fires in BarcelonaHooded demonstrators have gone on the rampage in the Spanish city of Barcelona after responding to social media posts from an "against the system" movementThe West Australian · 25 Oct, 00:13
Anti-system rioters loot shops, set fires in BarcelonaHooded demonstrators have gone on the rampage in the Spanish city of Barcelona after responding to social media posts from an "against the system" movementPerth Now · 25 Oct, 00:13

In this story: Barcelona · Plaza de Catalunya · Spain · Catalonia · Núria Parlon · Jaume Collboni · El Corte Ingles

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