Dozens Arrested in Spanish Protests Against COVID-19 Restrictions

Protests against a national curfew in Spain resulted in several arrests. (Wikimedia Commons)

Demonstrators took to the streets in Spain protesting a national curfew imposed on October 26 in efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19. The curfew restricts outings between 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM nationally, though regional governments may adjust the curfew by one hour earlier or later.

Coronavirus cases have risen rapidly throughout Spain since the summer, with 55,019 new cases documented on November 2. The country reported a two-week cumulative of 594.7 cases per 100,000 people on November 5, one of the highest rates in Europe. Spain also has the third-highest death rate from coronavirus on the continent, with 15 deaths per 100,000 people. 

Since announcing the new restrictions, demonstrations have occurred in several cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, and Logroño. 

In Madrid, authorities arrested 32 demonstrators. Protestors set fire to trash bins, damaged storefronts, and threw objects at police vehicles. 

Demonstrations in Logroño comported themselves particularly violently and injured seven police officers. Many of the group identified with anti-globalism and far-right movements. Police arrested seven protestors in Logroño and an additional 13 across three more cities for their role in protests. 

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez took to Twitter to denounce the protests, writing, “Only from responsibility, unity, and sacrifice will we be able to defeat the pandemic that devastates all countries. Violent and irrational behavior by minority groups is intolerable.”

Sánchez also expressed his appreciation to a group of teenagers who went viral for helping to clean up Logroño after the protests, tweeting, “The youth of our country is this: generosity, responsibility, commitment.” He called the teens “admirable” and urged everyone to “continue to fight the virus with unity.”

The government has not yet ruled out stricter measures to combat the virus, but Health Minister Salvador Illa urged the country to have patience and follow restrictions, stating that it would take at least two weeks to witness the restriction’s effects.