People march in defiance of attacks
HUNDREDS of thousands of people have marched in Barcelona in a show of unity, chanting “I am not afraid”, after two Islamist militant attacks last week left 15 dead, including NSW boy Julian Cadman.
The march on Saturday was led by shopkeepers and residents of the city’s wellknown Las Ramblas boulevard, where a van ploughed into pedestrians on August 17, killing 13 and injuring more than a hundred.
The crowd applauded representatives of the police, fire services and medical professions who also led the march.
Spain’s King Felipe, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and the head of Catalonia’s regional government, Carles Puigdemont, walked in the throng as people cheered and bore red, yellow and white roses — the colours of Spain’s second-biggest city.
“We are here to say we’re not afraid, we are united and we want peace,” said 59-yearold pensioner Victoria Padilla.
Slogans carried by marchers read “The best answer: peace” and “No to Islamophobia”.
Police estimated the march at half a million people.
Members of Spain’s Islamic community marched alongside the king and the prime minister, including women wearing hijabs.