On 18 February 2021, demonstrators gathered in several cities for a third consecutive night to demand the release of an imprisoned rap artist. Authorities arrested the entertainer on 16 February for “insulting the monarchy and glorifying terrorism.” In the downtown area of Barcelona, the capital of the northeastern Catalonia region, demonstrators threw stones, bottles and fireworks at police officers near the intersections of Calle Mallorca and Bailèn, as well as Passeig de Sant Joan and Calle Diputacion. At least one police officer was injured after being hit by stones. Protesters erected burning barricades in at least five locations, including near the intersection of Aragon and Bailen streets, and also vandalized the offices of a local newspaper. In the city center of Valencia, police officers cordoned off an area and used batons on protesters who threw stones at the officers. At least one person was injured in the clashes. Security personnel arrested eight demonstrators. Additional protests occurred in the cities of Sabadell and Tarragona.
The Sindicat d’Estudiants dels Països Catalan, a student union, has called for a university strike and associated demonstrations on 19 February in the cities of Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona to show support for the detained performer.
