Violence between antifascist groups and supporters of Aliança Catalana disrupted Barcelona’s Diada at the Fossar de les Moreres. Police intervened, and a photojournalist was injured in the chaos, casting a shadow over the city’s annual tribute to Rafael Casanova.
The confrontation took place in the Born district, where about 500 Aliança Catalana supporters faced roughly 2,500 antifascist demonstrators, information from the Guardia Urbana. Mossos d’Esquadra used force to prevent the situation from escalating. Police had cordoned off the area in advance, following similar tensions at the Fossar in previous years as a precaution. Mossos d'Esquadra reported three arrests and five to six additional individuals under investigation over incidents related to the unrest at Fossar de les Moreres.
Political leaders called for unity, but divisions were clear. The Govern and Barcelona City Council spoke about the need for an inclusive Catalan identity. Parliament did too, but only the Comuns directly addressed the violence, saying this year’s clash was more intense than in the past. Junts accused Salvador Illa of fueling polarization to distract from what they called his administration’s poor performance.
Both the Comuns and the CUP criticized security measures, saying Mossos d’Esquadra had been too lenient with the far-right group. Jéssica Albiach, representing the Comuns, argued that the state should protect rights and counter extremism, not hinder those fighting against it. The CUP’s Su Moreno went further, alleging cooperation between police and Aliança Catalana and suggesting the government had cleared the way for the group’s demonstration. The Aliança Catalana event, which included a floral offering, had been officially requested in advance. Police acted to keep the groups apart, information from several sources.
While most parties stayed silent on the police response, some politicians publicly supported Jordi Borràs, the photojournalist injured during the floral offering. Official speeches focused on coexistence and resisting divisive rhetoric. Sílvia Paneque and Jaume Collboni both stressed the need for an open, democratic Catalonia in the face of rising xenophobia. Similar confrontations had occurred at the Fossar the previous year, prompting authorities to reinforce the police presence in 2026 as a precaution. The escalation has also fueled public debate about the safety of mass gatherings and the protection of journalists, as several news outlets have reported.
Lluïsa Moret and Josep Rull echoed references to the historic Diada in Sant Boi de Llobregat fifty years ago, saying Catalonia’s strength comes from its collective ambition and refusal to be defined by origin. Still, both Junts per Catalunya and Esquerra Republicana used the occasion to criticize Illa’s government, arguing that a lack of national ambition and failures in security policy and language policy have left the region exposed to reactionary forces.
Jordi Turull of Junts accused the executive of undermining Catalan nationhood and using polarization to cover up mismanagement. Elisenda Alamany of Esquerra Republicana warned that these weaknesses are creating opportunities for those who want to divide society and weaken Catalonia’s identity.
This year’s Diada was marked by violence and political tension. The rapid escalation in Barcelona showed how fragile the current consensus is and how easily symbolic events can become flashpoints for deeper conflicts. As parties trade blame and police tactics come under scrutiny, calls for unity sound increasingly strained. The events at Fossar de les Moreres show that debates over Catalan identity and political direction remain unresolved, with security among the issues at stake. Unity will require more than speeches.
