Barcelona dawned this Wednesday, October 15, marked by a broad social mobilization in the framework of the general strike for Palestine, promoted by a dozen unions and pro-Palestinian groups that demand an end to the attacks on Gaza and the breaking of diplomatic and commercial relations with Israel.
The first protests began early in the morning with traffic blockades at several strategic points. About 200 people blocked the Ronda Litoral, the Zona Franca and the accesses to Mercabarna, generating important traffic jams. The AP-7 was also affected, with queues of up to five kilometers between Llinars del Vallès and Cardedeu. In the metropolitan area, the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) dawned with pickets that temporarily interrupted access to the campus.
The Servei Català de Trànsit (SCT) also confirmed cuts on the C-17 and C-25 in Manresa, as well as on the A-2 between Sant Vicenç dels Horts and Castellbisbal. In the interior of the capital, traffic on the Ronda Litoral in the Besòs direction was completely blocked.
Demonstrations called
In Barcelona, the central picket has been called at 11:00 am in Plaza Universitat, meeting point of student groups, trade unions and associations in solidarity with Palestine.
In the afternoon, a united demonstration is planned for 18:00 h, promoted by CGT, CCOO and UGT, which will go through the center of the city to the headquarters of the Representation of the European Commission in Passeig de Gràcia. The unions demand “a just and lasting peace” and denounce the “international complicity in the attacks on Gaza”.
Minimum services and political participation
Public transport operates with minimum services of 66%, affecting metro, bus, streetcar, FGC and Rodalies, although without serious incidents according to Renfe. At the political level, ERC, Sumar, Bildu and BNG announced their adherence to the strike and the attendance of representatives such as Elisenda Alamany, from ERC, to the event in front of the European Union office.
We explain all the minimum services in our article.
The mobilization comes just two days after the provisional peace agreement signed between Israel and Hamas in Sharm el-Sheikh, promoted by US President Donald Trump, but the conveners decided to keep the day of protest to demand international responsibilities and keep visible the suffering of the Palestinian people.
Throughout Catalonia, the strike combines 24-hour work stoppages and partial strikes of two hours per shift, called by CCOO, UGT, CGT, Solidaridad Obrera, ASC and the Confederación Intersindical. The day, marked by banners, Palestinian flags and cease-fire slogans, seeks to turn the streets of Barcelona into a visible echo of solidarity with Gaza.