Ultras, clashes and one arrested: night of tension in Palma

PalmaAnti-riot police have stopped a confrontation between activists against real estate speculation camped in Palma's Plaça d'Espanya and a group of far-right extremists who had come to the place where the group self-identified asBlocus Mallorca had called a protest inspired by the student movement in France.

Around 8:10 p.m., when, given the low turnout, it seemed that the Blocus call had failed, a group with far-right aesthetics approached the camp entrance with a defiant attitude, and the campers responded by chanting slogans against fascism.

The tension grew when a member of the housing activist group threw a pennant at the ultras, who reacted by approaching, at which moment the police deployed with riot gear.

From that moment on, there have been some firecracker launches and the numerous young people gathered have moved quickly around the area of the square, followed by motorized police and vans.

Subsequently, a young man who threw a bottle at the police was subdued by plainclothes officers and arrested.

After the arrest, scuffles broke out between the protesters, all very young, and law enforcement officers.

At 20:50 hours, several hundred people, watched by dozens of local and national police officers and observed by numerous journalists, continue to be gathered around the Plaza de España.

Before the protest, around 18:30 hours, the National Police intercepted six youths, all of whom were minors, and identified and took them to the police station because they were carrying dangerous objects such as corrosive liquids and imitation weapons.

Police sources have explained to EFE that the adolescents taken to the police station will be placed in the care of their parents and sanction reports will be filed which may lead to fines.

Some of the shops in Plaça d'Espanya have closed preventively and only a few have protected their shop windows.