The day of protest began in the morning with the demonstration called by the Assemblea Nacional Catalana (ANC) and the Consell de la República, under the slogan Prou! Única via: independència. According to the Guardia Urbana, approximately 8,000 people marched from the Rafael Casanova monument to Sant Jaume Square. The mobilization, which featured many estelades, included chants like “Out with Renfe, out with Spain”.
“"We are very satisfied with this call, which aims to be a definitive signal that enough is enough of the humiliations that the State continuously imposes on our structures. We suffer colonial treatment."
In the afternoon, the mobilization organized by user platforms, supported by 150 entities and the major unions CCOO and UGT, was more modest, gathering 3,000 people. The march, which started at Estació de França, proceeded behind the banner Sin trenes no hay futuro (No trains, no future). The final manifesto criticized the lack of proper prioritization in railway investments.
“"The user no longer has patience; they are psychologically and emotionally unwell. We must work to ensure they are informed about everything that is happening."
Union leaders denounced the complete lack of coordination between administrations. Camil Ros, Secretary General of UGT, highlighted the neglect by pointing out the state of the façade of Estació de França. Despite the divided protests, secessionist parties supported both, although Junts focused on the independence-aligned rally and ERC on the more citizen-focused one.
“"If someone focuses on which demonstration is the most important, they are mistaken. The goal is to improve the service for citizens."
The day coincided with the announcement by the Generalitat, through the Minister of Territory, Sílvia Paneque, regarding the restoration of service on lines R13 and RT1, connecting Barcelona with Tarragona and Lleida. The Minister of Presidency, Albert Dalmau, stated that the Government “understands and respects” the discontent but urged that it be channeled towards “the politics of solutions.”
