Chaos and tension at Arc de Triomf due to lack of police coordination

A gathering of therians in Barcelona exceeded all expectations. A lack of coordination between the Mossos and Guardia Urbana aggravated the disturbances. Four people ended up being arrested, three of them minors. The incident reopens the debate on managing large gatherings in the city centre.

On Saturday afternoon, Passeig de Lluís Companys became the epicentre of an unexpected situation for thousands of Barcelona residents. A call for therians — people who identify as animals — attracted more than 3,000 attendees to the Arc de Triomf area, exceeding any prior estimate and disrupting the routine of the centre.

The event, which went viral on social media, brought together curious young people and those who came only to watch or even mock them. The massive turnout exceeded the response capacity of the police forces, which had not planned a special operation because it was neither a formal protest nor a protest mobilisation.

Guardia Urbana took initial control, while Mossos d'Esquadra left only one patrol to monitor developments. However, the situation became more complicated when, late in the afternoon, the local police intervened in an underground car park after receiving reports of property damage. During the operation, objects began to be thrown at officers and tensions escalated rapidly.

The lack of coordination between the two forces became clear. While Guardia Urbana requested public-order reinforcements from the Mossos, they assessed that there was no need to deploy riot police because they had not detected serious incidents at that time. The decision to clear the area, taken by the head of the local police, precipitated chaos: several therian minors sought refuge in nearby shops and the atmosphere became even more hostile.

Within minutes, the situation got out of control. Objects were thrown in the carriageway, bins were set on fire and street furniture was damaged. The Mossos finally sent riot police units and took operational command, although Guardia Urbana lamented the lateness of the response. Normality did not return until after ten o'clock at night, with four people arrested, three of them minors.

Arc de Triomf, a usual gathering point for events and celebrations, has become in recent years one of Barcelona's busiest spaces. Its proximity to key institutions and easy access make it a strategic place for both leisure events and demonstrations. However, managing large gatherings in this area remains a challenge for the authorities, who must balance public safety with freedom of assembly in the heart of the city.