Barcelona riots turn to looting; 100 people arrested

At least 100 people were arrested after an anti-system demonstration in Barcelona, Spain, turned into rioting, looting and arson on Saturday night, Oct. 24. The protest, centered on Plaça de Catalunya, involved more than 600 young people, according to local media reports cited by several news agencies. Catalonia Interior Minister Núria Parlon said more than 30 fires broke out and 14 stores were damaged or looted. Some participants threw stones and firecrackers at officers, while shopping centers such as El Corte Inglés closed entrances during the unrest, leaving some visitors trapped inside. Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni said the vandalism would not go unpunished. The action was organized through social media without formal leaders and came amid a wave of protests over the cost of living and housing in several European countries.