RIOTS IN BARCELONA, MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE ARRESTED

BARCELONA, OCTOBER 25 /SRNA/ - Violent protests took place in Barcelona, with participants smashing shop windows and street benches, Catalan police said, adding that more than 100 people had been arrested.

The anti-government protests were organized via social media, and around 500 demonstrators gathered at Plaça de Catalunya, wearing dark clothing and hoodies, the Spanish news outlet ARA reported.

Catalan Interior Minister Nuria Parlon said the protests did not last long and ended at around 11 p.m. last night. More than 100 people were arrested, at least 30 of them minors.

According to her, the incidents were caused by unorganized groups that were not defending any rights, and young men looted 14 stores in the city center.

Reuters reported that around 30 fires were also set during the "Against the System" protests. Social media posts calling for the protests used the slogan "Institut Indignats," a translation of the movement "Outraged High School Student," which has been used to mobilize students in France in recent days.

Videos circulating on social media show people trapped inside shops, including the El Corte Inglés department store, after shutters were lowered to prevent looting.

Other posts show hooded demonstrators dressed in black smashing shop windows and fleeing with goods, in some cases encouraged by online viewers.

Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni said that acts of vandalism in the city would not go unpunished, including legal consequences for the guardians of all minors involved.