New protests: rapper’s arrest reveals Spain’s unease

BARCELONA – For the fourth day in a row, hundreds of young people gathered at a point in central Barcelona – Plaza Universita – after anonymous calls on social networks such as Telegram. Without banners or flags, there is hardly a couple of independentist “stars”, they are united by the cry of “Freedom Pablo Hasél!”, The Catalan rapper arrested last Monday after a nine-month prison sentence for having executed “Insults to the crown” and “extolling terrorism” in their songs. Yes for the fourth night, the marches led to riots.

“We are here to defend freedom of expression. Hasél in his songs says truths that annoy the government, like that the king is a thief, and for that they condemn him. On the other hand, the far right incites hatred and nothing happens to them, ”explains Pepa, a 20-year-old performing arts student. She came with a group of five friends, all students who had previously participated in demonstrations because “there are a thousand reasons this system doesn’t work.” A helicopter hovers ominously over the heads of the participants, the majority just over 20 years old.

Protests in support of Hasél and freedom of expression took place in various Spanish cities such as Madrid, Valencia and Granada, but its epicenter is undoubtedly in Catalonia. More precisely, it is in Barcelona that the clashes between the police and certain demonstrators reached the most intensity. Since Monday, dozens of people, including around 30 police officers, have been treated for bruises, and a 19-year-old girl lost an eye on Wednesday after being hit by a rubber bullet. In addition, more than 70 people have already been arrested, several minors.

Even if everyone is outraged by the conviction against Hasél, few say they are fans of his music. In fact, some did not even know him before his conviction. Now it’s become a symbol, or rather, the catalyst that condensed the accumulated discomfort and turned it into anger. The reasons given by the protagonists of the demonstrations are varied: youth unemployment and precariousness, extreme right-wing impunity, police brutality, non-recognition of Catalonia’s right to self-determination.

“The country is very bad. Many people live in poverty, we are suffering from a great social and economic crisis. The system must change, ”says Guillem, a high school student who attended the rally displaying a Republican flag dotted with a red star. “It is the flag of the Republican militias in the civil war,” he explains proudly.

The outbreak of the pandemic in Spain was linked to the hangover of the Great Recession of the past decade, which caused a significant increase in inequality and poverty. Before the arrival of Covid-19, unemployment affected 13.5% of the population, almost double that recorded in 2008. But among those under 25, it stands at nearly 41%, while the European average is 17%. Above, among the lucky ones who have a job, for 67% it’s temporary. Some sociologists define them as “lost generation”, who is no longer entitled to social interaction at night due to restrictions for public health purposes.

In the streets of the center, you can see some scars from the altercations of the previous nights, such as the black spots on the asphalt from the burning containers and motorcycles. In some intersections, the size of the fire barricades was on the verge of causing a fire in neighboring buildings, generating real fear among neighbors. Yesterday, at the last minute, the scenes of flames and racing with the soundtrack sirens repeated themselves, although the police acted with more restraint after the criticisms received.

“I don’t know if there are people who come specifically to burn things. I think it’s the result of the frustration, we know if you ask for things, please they won’t pay attention to you, ”says Claudia, a freshman in social education. “Yesterday we were going home and for no reason the police started charging and firing rubber bullets. Their brutality also explains the violence. Today I came with fear ”, recognizes Marc, 17 years old.

“It is an amalgam of violent and aggressive people who, under the pretext of a legal demonstration, cause unrest,” Joan Carles Molinero, spokesperson for the Mossos, Catalan police, told a press conference on Thursday. .

As has already happened during the demonstrations against the condemnation of independence politicians, Police commanders believe that small, far-left groups with experience in “urban guerrilla” tactics are infiltrating the protests and operating with great coordination and extreme violence. The police response sparks excitement among the rest of the protesters and the protest leads to a pitched battle.

Barcelona, ​​a historic incubator of social movements, from anarchism at the start of the 20th century to anti-globalism at the start of the 21st, is once again leading the rebellion of a jaded youth in the era of pandemic dystopia.

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