Felipe will be first modern Spanish monarch to take part in a demonstration as thousands are expected to show that the country stands together
Tens of thousands of people will march through Barcelona on Saturday to show their defiance against terrorism following last week’s deadly attacks.
The Spanish city is still mourning the 15 people killed on 17 August, when a van ploughed into crowds on the central boulevard of Las Ramblas, and a car mowed down pedestrians in the nearby seaside town of Cambrils.
Spain’s prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, has called on Spaniards to turn out in force to show their “love” and solidarity with the region of Catalonia, where the attacks took place.
King Felipe VI will also attend the march, becoming the first Spanish sovereign to take part in a demonstration since the monarchy was re-established in 1975 after the death of dictator Francisco Franco.
Europe has been shaken by a series of deadly Islamist attacks, particularly the increasing number of low-tech attacks using knives or vehicles as weapons.
On Friday evening, a man was shot dead in central Brussels after stabbing a soldier while shouting “Allahu akbar” (God is greatest); later, a man with a large knife attacked police in London as they tried to arrest him outside Buckingham Palace.
Rajoy said the king would be attending the march to demonstrate “his love for the people of Barcelona, of Cambrils, of Catalonia”.
“There, with all of Catalan society and all of Spain … we will once again give a clear message of unity and condemnation of terrorism, and of love for the city of Barcelona,” he added.
The warm comments contrast with Rajoy’s earlier criticism of Catalan leaders, with whom he has been at loggerheads over their plans to hold an independence referendum on 1 October.
But in the aftermath of the attacks, which were claimed by the Islamic State group, he and Catalonia’s separatist president, Carles Puigdemont, made a show of unity and both will attend the march, which begins at 6pm (5pm BST).
On Friday evening, thousands of people marched against terror in Cambrils, shouting “no tinc por”, which means “not afraid” in Catalan – a phrase defiantly shouted by locals after last week’s attacks. The slogan of the Barcelona demonstration will also be “no tinc por”.
Those who tended to the victims last week will lead the procession. These include security forces, emergency workers, residents and shop owners in Las Ramblas and taxis who transported people for free.
Among them will be Montse Rovira, the city hall’s head of social emergencies, who helped people who were lost or who couldn’t find their loved ones. Rovira and her colleagues also gave psychological support to victims’ families and the emergency services.
“There are a lot of people who are suffering,” she said, admitting that even psychologists had struggled. The march would help “recognise the work of people who have been on the front line”, Rovira added.
Saray Gomez, an 18-year-old who works at a flower stall near where the van ended its deadly journey, said it was important “to give a message of unity and peace”.
“And it’s important to distinguish between Islam and jihadists, because Muslims are the first to be affected,” she said.
Thousands of red, yellow and white flowers – the colours of Barcelona – will be distributed to protesters.
The march will end at Plaza de Catalunya near Las Ramblas. where two cellists will play “Cant dels ocells” (Song of the birds), a traditional Catalan melody that has become a paean to peace. In 1961, the late composer Pau Casals played it at the White House in a symbolic rejection of the Franco regime.
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Tens of thousands of people will march through Barcelona on Saturday to show their defiance against terrorism following last week’s deadly attacks.
The Spanish city is still mourning the 15 people killed on 17 August, when a van ploughed into crowds on the central boulevard of Las Ramblas, and a car mowed down pedestrians in the nearby seaside town of Cambrils.
Spain’s prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, has called on Spaniards to turn out in force to show their “love” and solidarity with the region of Catalonia, where the attacks took place.
King Felipe VI will also attend the march, becoming the first Spanish sovereign to take part in a demonstration since the monarchy was re-established in 1975 after the death of dictator Francisco Franco.
Europe has been shaken by a series of deadly Islamist attacks, particularly the increasing number of low-tech attacks using knives or vehicles as weapons.
On Friday evening, a man was shot dead in central Brussels after stabbing a soldier while shouting “Allahu akbar” (God is greatest); later, a man with a large knife attacked police in London as they tried to arrest him outside Buckingham Palace.
Rajoy said the king would be attending the march to demonstrate “his love for the people of Barcelona, of Cambrils, of Catalonia”.
“There, with all of Catalan society and all of Spain … we will once again give a clear message of unity and condemnation of terrorism, and of love for the city of Barcelona,” he added.
The warm comments contrast with Rajoy’s earlier criticism of Catalan leaders, with whom he has been at loggerheads over their plans to hold an independence referendum on 1 October.
But in the aftermath of the attacks, which were claimed by the Islamic State group, he and Catalonia’s separatist president, Carles Puigdemont, made a show of unity and both will attend the march, which begins at 6pm (5pm BST).
On Friday evening, thousands of people marched against terror in Cambrils, shouting “no tinc por”, which means “not afraid” in Catalan – a phrase defiantly shouted by locals after last week’s attacks. The slogan of the Barcelona demonstration will also be “no tinc por”.
Those who tended to the victims last week will lead the procession. These include security forces, emergency workers, residents and shop owners in Las Ramblas and taxis who transported people for free.
Among them will be Montse Rovira, the city hall’s head of social emergencies, who helped people who were lost or who couldn’t find their loved ones. Rovira and her colleagues also gave psychological support to victims’ families and the emergency services.
“There are a lot of people who are suffering,” she said, admitting that even psychologists had struggled. The march would help “recognise the work of people who have been on the front line”, Rovira added.
Saray Gomez, an 18-year-old who works at a flower stall near where the van ended its deadly journey, said it was important “to give a message of unity and peace”.
“And it’s important to distinguish between Islam and jihadists, because Muslims are the first to be affected,” she said.
Thousands of red, yellow and white flowers – the colours of Barcelona – will be distributed to protesters.
The march will end at Plaza de Catalunya near Las Ramblas. where two cellists will play “Cant dels ocells” (Song of the birds), a traditional Catalan melody that has become a paean to peace. In 1961, the late composer Pau Casals played it at the White House in a symbolic rejection of the Franco regime.
Friends, if you like this post kindly comment below and do share your responds Thanks for reading
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