Counter-demonstration planned at Plaça Sant Jaume
The Barcelona Anti-Fascist Coordinator and SomAntifeixistes have called for a counter-demonstration at 6 p.m. on Saturday, 23 August, in Plaça Sant Jaume, one hour before the far-right group Save Europe Act is scheduled to hold a rally in the same location. The anti-fascist groups say they will respond "in a unified manner" to what they describe as a xenophobic campaign promoted by European far-right parties. Their action aims to oppose Save Europe Act’s demand for the “systematic return” of irregular migrants from Europe.
EU rejected 'remigration' initiative
Save Europe Act launched a European Citizens’ Initiative on 8 June 2026 seeking legislative action to “save Europe from migration”. However, on 22 July 2026, the European Commission concluded that the initiative was ineligible for registration because it was "manifestly contrary to the values enshrined under the Treaty and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights". This decision was confirmed on the official European Citizens’ Initiative portal, which stated that initiatives cannot breach the principle of non-discrimination.
Barcelona cannot become a loudspeaker for white supremacism and those who advocate mass expulsions.
, Gerardo Pisarello, Comuns mayoral candidate
Ties to VOX and Reconquista movement
The group’s main political backer in Spain is VOX, with party leader Santiago Abascal listed among the supporters of the ‘remigration’ proposal. The Reconquista movement, described by anti-fascist groups as promoting xenophobic discourse through nationalist nostalgia, is also closely aligned with the initiative. Participants in Saturday’s event are primarily young people organising under the banner of Save Europe Act. They plan to display a 400m² banner calling for the repatriation of all migrants, designed to be visible from the City Council and Generalitat buildings facing Plaça Sant Jaume.
Political backlash and local response
Left-wing parties including the CUP and Comuns have urged Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni and Catalan health minister Salvador Illa to prevent the demonstration using all available legal tools. The CUP first raised the alarm after the city council briefly listed the event on its public agenda, a move later corrected as an error. Despite calls for prohibition, no official ban has been issued. Spanish authorities are bound by constitutional protections on assembly, though public order powers may be invoked if risks to safety or rights are demonstrated.
Past activity in Ceuta and Algeciras
Save Europe Act previously held events in Algeciras and Ceuta following the entry of around 80,000 people into Ceuta from Morocco earlier this year. Those gatherings were described as “emergency” actions with low turnout. This weekend’s event, however, is being promoted as a “massive” mobilisation appealing to “Spanish patriots” to resist what it calls EU censorship and government lies.
Primary sources: eb.gencat.cat, citizens-initiative.europa.eu. Reported by eldiarioes, beteve.cat, Adrià Asbert, euronews.com, Editorial staff [email protected], elestado.net, Lucas Font, agenceurope.eu, VilaWeb Feed, eldiario.es.
