News
Barcelona cuts power at the Plaça de Catalunya camp and protesters report lack of safety
The camp set up in Plaça de Catalunya has been left partially in the dark after the Ayuntamiento de Barcelona disconnected the electricity supply to several streetlights. The council says the decision was made due to a risk identified by the Fire Brigade, while participants believe the measure compromises their safety and fear further restrictions.
Tensions between the Ayuntamiento de Barcelona and the participants in the plaza Catalunya camp have escalated once again. The city government has ordered the electricity to be cut from part of the public lighting in the area, a decision that has sparked protests from those still camped in the square.
Both sides have given different explanations for the consequences of this measure. While the council insists it is a preventive action, the campers argue that the lack of lighting makes them more vulnerable at night.
Firefighters warn of electrical risk
According to municipal sources speaking to betevé, the decision was made after receiving a report from the Firefighters warning of an imminent risk related to unsafe electrical connections.
The Ayuntamiento says that part of the network had been used with makeshift connections that could compromise the safety of people in the square.
In response, municipal services have chosen to disconnect the supply to some streetlights.
The council maintains that the aim is to prevent possible accidents caused by these electrical installations.
Campers say being left in the dark is also dangerous
The protesters question the council’s decision and warn that reducing the lighting could create new safety problems.
The spokesperson for the camp, Kiara Monroy, has held the mayor responsible for any consequences that may occur both inside and around the camp.
The organisers believe that keeping the area lit is essential to protect those spending the night in tents.
For this reason, they see the power cut as a measure that makes it harder for the protest to continue.
They fear the Ayuntamiento may also cut off the water
The campers’ concerns are not limited to the electricity supply.
The protesters suspect that the next step could be to cut off water from the fountains in plaza Catalunya, a possibility they currently express as a fear rather than a confirmed council decision.
In their view, these actions could be aimed at making them leave the public space.
However, the participants say they have no intention of removing their tents for this reason.
The camp plans to continue until 29 November
Despite the dispute over lighting, the protesters intend to remain in plaza Catalunya.
According to their spokesperson, the camp will continue at least until the general elections scheduled for 29 November.
For now, the disagreement remains focused on the safety of the area: the Ayuntamiento argues that disconnecting irregular electrical installations prevents accidents, while the campers maintain that the lack of light increases the risks for those staying there.
No date has been announced for when the affected supply might be restored.