World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Anonymous Blocus group linked to violent Barcelona unrest
An anonymous group called Blocus used social media to call protests in Barcelona and other Spanish cities.
On Saturday, a gathering in central Barcelona led to looting and violent clashes, and police arrested 128 people, including 72 minors.
Blocus framed the protests around the quality of schools, borrowing a theme from student protests in France.
Its posts directed people to private messaging groups, where organizers shared advice on clothing and materials to bring.
Police say many participants were very young and are investigating who organized the unrest and how the call spread.
The Mossos d'Esquadra are working with other European police to monitor the online activity.
Officials have raised the possibility of foreign interference, but the organizers' identities and motives remain under investigation.
An anonymous platform called Blocus promoted a protest in Barcelona that ended in violent unrest and looting.
Police are investigating who was behind the call and how it spread, including through TikTok and private messaging groups.
Authorities say 128 people were arrested, including 72 minors, and about 450 people were identified in Barcelona.
Blocus called for demonstrations in other Spanish cities, and police are monitoring further calls for action.
Spanish police are concerned about possible unrest on October 31 and a possible escalation around a general strike on November 11.
- Who
- The anonymous platform Blocus promoted the call. Police are investigating who was behind it.
- What
- A protest in Barcelona turned into violent unrest and looting.
- When
- The unrest took place on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
- Where
- Barcelona, Spain. Blocus also called for protests in other Spanish cities, including Madrid.
- Why
- Blocus framed its call around education and drew inspiration from student protests in France. Police say some participants joined to commit offences rather than to make political demands.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Anonymous TikTok profiles began widely sharing Blocus's protest call.
A protest in Barcelona turned into violent unrest and looting.
Mossos chief commissioner Silvi Catà said police were working with other European police forces to monitor the call's spread.
Further calls for action under the Blocus label were expected in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and other cities.
Police feared unrest could escalate around a planned general strike.
- Arrests
- 128 people, including 72 minors
- People identified
- About 450 in Barcelona
- Main platform
- TikTok
- Private messaging apps
- WhatsApp and Telegram
- Further date of concern
- October 31, 2026
- Possible later flashpoint
- November 11, 2026
5 sources
La red que convocó los disturbios de Barcelona tiene ramificaciones en 11 comunidades autónomas
Los mensajes internos de los Mossos que advierten de otro saqueo masivo de Blocus: "Quieren repetirlo. Hay bandas latinoamericanas"
Qué hay tras Blocus: el grupo anónimo que alentó los disturbios de Barcelona y quiere llevar su violencia extrema por toda España
What people are saying
violencia extrema
personas individuales que se juntan
Más recursos, mejores instalaciones, profesorado suficiente, una educación de calidad
como en Francia