Historic Demonstration in Barcelona in Support of Refugees

On 18 February, Barcelona held the biggest demonstration in Europe in support of refugees under the slogan “Volem acollir” (we want to welcome them).

 

Between 300,000 and 500,000 people flooded the streets to show their solidarity with people who risk their lives every day to escape the barbarism caused by imperialism as well as calling on governments to welcome them and grant them asylum now.

 

This historic demonstration reflects the enormous popular anger at the monstrous policies condemning refugees, especially those fleeing the war in Syria.

We took to the streets and said, loud and clear, that we reject being accomplices to the crimes of a system that condemns the greater part of humanity to misery and provokes a mass exodus to the advanced capitalist countries. Here the right whip up hatred against immigrants to divide the working class, while big business and its hired politicians profit from all this despair.

They have profited from the situation emigrants find themselves in by paying them poverty wages, and then accusing them of being criminals; they have profited by selling arms to both sides in the Syrian conflict (including the Islamic militants) and accuse the refugees of being Isis terrorists.

But the demonstration in Barcelona of young people and workers has shown that their plans clash with the conscience and instincts of millions.