Unanimous outcry of condemnation for the vandalic acts that compromise the future of Barcelona

Barcelona does not deserve it. We Barcelonans do not deserve it. These are days of darkness and sadness as a consequence of the uncontrolled action of a minority of hooded youths who, taking advantage of the legitimate and necessary demonstrations in defense of freedom of expression, use the situation to turn the streets into a theme park of looting, destruction, and vandalism. There have already been six consecutive nights of riots, burning barricades, broken windows, destroyed street furniture, and assaulted shops and financial entities. Not even the Palau de la Música has been respected. The demand for Pablo Hasél's freedom or any other of the demands they wield to argue their rage (a corrupt political system, a repressive state, youth without a future...) do not justify the acts of terror we are experiencing these days and which will incur an enormous economic and reputational cost for a city that needs more than ever to recover its prestige and emerge from the crisis.

When the irresponsibility of a minority compromises the future of all, a unanimous outcry is necessary to stop the barbarism, like the one made on Sunday by the employers' association Foment del Treball and 35 entities representing the commerce, tourism, and restaurant sectors, with a weight on GDP of 23% and more than 450,000 jobs. An outcry that points directly to the political leaders of the Generalitat Government and the Barcelona City Council, whom the business community demands to support the Mossos d'Esquadra police force more firmly, as well as the Guardia Urbana of Barcelona, all local police forces, and maintenance and cleaning services.

"We address the Government of the Generalitat and the Barcelona City Council and the irresponsible people who promote these protests and wash their hands of the material and moral damages they cause," categorically stated the entity chaired by Josep Sánchez Llibre, which met urgently yesterday to address the serious situation in the streets caused by ultra groups whose "objective is to destabilize the welfare state."

According to Foment, the "deterioration of Catalonia's image as a destination for people and investment, of Barcelona as the capital of the northern Mediterranean, and of the citizens of Catalonia as dialoguing, respectful, and peaceful" is "unstoppable." "We call for responsibility from all those irresponsible individuals who promote, consent to, justify, or turn a blind eye to these very serious disturbances which, in addition to causing serious and very significant damage to public and private property, compromise the future of Barcelona and Catalonia."

"Enough is enough!"

"All red lines fundamental in a rule of law have been crossed; from Foment we say enough is enough! We want security, we want tranquility, we want things to function normally. It is unacceptable that, in addition to the consequences brought by this cursed pandemic, we also have to endure what we have experienced these last few days. We can't take it anymore!" expressed President Sánchez Llibre energetically and with a tone of concern.

Foment del Treball and the sectors affected by the disturbances assure that "the vandalistic acts of these days and the images that have been offered to the world not only harm Catalonia's economy at this moment, especially affected by the health and social crisis brought by Covid-19, but obviously will have a future repercussion on the commercial and business fabric." They point out that "the looting of local stores and international brands" such as Nike, Guess, Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Hermes, Fendi, Versace, or Dolce & Gabbana is especially dramatic, as they "are the worst advertisement for foreign investments," precisely what is most needed to overcome the crisis.

According to the president of the Associació del Passeig de Gràcia, Lluís Sans, only during the night from Saturday to Sunday, 75 establishments on Passeig de Gràcia were vandalized, with more than one hundred broken windows and twelve businesses looted, with preliminary economic damages of 750,000 euros. Sans highlighted "the passivity of political leaders," especially the mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, and the Govern, to whom he asked for "political courage" to resolve the situation. "We are experiencing a serious crisis as a society and as a country, and together we must face it," Sans stressed. The owner of the emblematic Santa Eulalia store asked for "more protection and more tools for the Mossos to be able to face this phenomenon of urban guerrilla that Barcelona leads in Europe along with Paris."

Sánchez Llibre demanded "the strict application of the law" when asking for "criminal and administrative responsibility" and the corresponding indemnities for those who caused the damages and losses to merchants, residents, and individuals.

Likewise, the business leader harshly condemned "the irresponsible ones who deny their support and personal and material means to the Mossos"; "the irresponsible ones who, when they do not directly flatter the perpetrators, seek and expose a thousand and one arguments to justify the exercise of violence by participants in the riots"; "the irresponsible ones who close their eyes as if they understood that it is not the obligation of the acting Govern to ensure public and private assets and the security and rights of citizens, abdicating one of the most relevant functions of those who, legitimately and democratically, hold authority"; and "the irresponsible ones who do not seem too concerned that their children are destroying, along with the containers, windows, and businesses, the reputation of Catalonia as a land of progress and investment, and, therefore, seriously compromising its labor and professional future."

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