On Friday, 1 May, approximately 2,500 people marched through central Barcelona for the main May Day demonstration, according to the Barcelona City Police. Trade unions Comisiones Obreras (CC.OO.) and Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT) organised the event.
The march started around 12:00 at Plaça Urquinaona. It proceeded along Via Laietana, a major thoroughfare in the Gothic Quarter. The demonstration concluded with speeches from union leaders.
CC.OO. of Catalonia leader Belén López and UGT of Catalonia general secretary Camil Ros led the procession. Their banner declared, "Against Wars and Fascism, More Rights and More Unionism." Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni also participated.
Other notable attendees included Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun. Representatives from various political parties joined the march. These included Oriol Junqueras (ERC), Lluïsa Moret (PSC), and Jéssica Albiach and Gerardo Pisarello (Comuns).
Demonstrators carried union flags and Palestinian flags. This showed solidarity with activists aboard the Global Summit Flotilla. Israeli forces captured these activists in international waters on Wednesday night.
Union representatives also highlighted the need for extraordinary regularisation of migrants. They view this as essential justice to combat labour exploitation.
Other May Day Gatherings
Other unions held separate May Day events across Barcelona. The Unió Sindical Obrera de Catalunya (Usoc) gathered 200 people. This march for labour rights began at Plaça Jacint Verdaguer.
Meanwhile, Confederación General del Trabajo (CGT) Barcelona held its own demonstration. Approximately 700 people attended their event. It started at 11:30 in Jardinets de Gràcia.
These annual May Day demonstrations highlight the ongoing calls for workers' rights. They also show broader social and political concerns within Catalonia.
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Originally published by Europa Press Barcelona. Read original article.
