[VIDEOS] Protests and heavy police presence accompany Spanish king in Barcelona

Several protests began on Friday morning at 10am in Barcelona’s center against the King of Spain’s visit to Barcelona. A human chain with each participant keeping the safety distance was set up starting at Estació de França train station – where King Felipe attended an event – and extending to the Christopher Columbus monument at the bottom of La Rambla.

The demonstration was organized by several political parties and pro-independence civic organizations, including ANC, who want to make clear that “Catalonia has no king.” In parallel, the also pro-independence CDR group activists began gathering at Arc de Triomf, some 500 meters away from Estació de França, to also show their rejection of the monarch.

This rally was expected to begin in the crossroads between Comerç street and Marquès d’Argentera avenue, but a heavy police presence blocking the whole area surrounding the station led the CDR members to move their protest. Indeed, dozens of Catalan police vans prevented protesters from approaching the area, and also protected the Ciutadella Park, where the Catalan parliament is located.