Barcelona youth protest turns violent with fires and clashes in city center

A youth protest in Barcelona turned violent on Saturday afternoon, with dozens of demonstrators clashing with police and setting fires in the city center. The unrest has forced several shops to close with customers still inside. The demonstration, which began in Plaça Catalunya and spread to La Rambla, saw protesters build a barricade using containers and municipal bicycles before setting them alight. The movement, inspired by European protests, has no official organizer and was called via social media and WhatsApp. Catalan police deployed a large security operation from early afternoon, while local businesses took additional protective measures. Participants stated the protest lacks a specific motive, aiming instead to follow the example of mass mobilizations occurring across Europe.