Spain protests turn violent
The unrest erupted on Monday after earlier demonstrations against Quiles’ scheduled 7 pm appearance near the University of Deusto. The University of Deusto suspended activities from 2 pm (local time) and closed its campus preventively at 3 pm (local time), following police instructions.
The Basque government’s security department provided the provisional arrest count, according to Spanish newspaper El Constitucional. Authorities said a group moved towards the Deusto police station, throwing stones and setting fire to the municipal police motorcycle. Quiles announced the cancellation in a post on X, saying he had spoken to the head of the police operation, who warned of a “very high” risk of incidents. The institution said the event had been organised externally, had not been authorised on campus and was not supported by the university.
Nine people have been arrested in Bilbao, Spain, after violent clashes broke out following protests against a planned appearance by far-right activist Vito Quiles. Fires engulfed cars and rubbish containers as riot police confronted demonstrators in the Deusto neighbourhood after the event was cancelled over security concerns. At least six cars, several rubbish containers and a municipal police motorcycle were damaged, while firefighters responded to multiple blazes. The security department alleged that those involved deliberately sought to cause disturbances despite knowing that the event had been cancelled.
Video footage circulating on social media on Monday showed hooded protesters moving through the streets, fires burning and barricades blocking roads.
Wider tensions and investigation
On September 26, around 25,000 people protested in Madrid, according to the regional government delegation, while demonstrations and protest camps spread to other cities. The protests intensified on October 2, when parliament rejected two emergency housing decrees proposed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government. On October 3, demonstrations took place in around 50 cities, with protesters demanding affordable housing and greater tenant protection.
The measures included stronger protections against evictions and tighter rules on rentals.