BARCELONA (Reuters) – Hundreds of thousands marched in Barcelona in a show of unity on Saturday evening amid chants of ’I am not afraid’ after two Islamist militant attacks in the Spanish region of Catalonia last week left 15 dead.
The march was led by shopkeepers and residents of the city’s well-known Las Ramblas boulevard, where a van ploughed into pedestrians on Aug. 17, killing 13 and injuring over a hundred. The crowd applauded representatives of the police, fire services and medical professions who also led the march.
Spain’s King Felipe, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and the head of Catalonia’s regional government Carles Puigdemont, dressed in dark suits, walked in the throng as people cheered and bore red, yellow and white roses – the colours of Spain’s second-biggest city.
“We are here to say we’re not afraid, we are united and we want peace,” said 59-year-old pensioner Victoria Padilla as she marched. Slogans carried by marchers read “The best answer: peace” and “No to Islamophobia”.
Police estimated the march at half a million people.
Source: Hundreds of thousands march in Barcelona to show unity after Islamist attacks
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