‘Not afraid’: King Felipe joins massive Barcelona march against terrorism

KING FELIPE VI joined tens of thousands of people in a huge anti-terrorism march through the centre of Barcelona. 

The monarch marched alongside Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and other senior politicians. Dubbed “No tinc por”, Catalan for “I’m not afraid”, the rally was an act of popular defiance after the terrorist van attack that shook the city last week, killing 15 people. 

At the front of the packed procession were the first responders who tended the more than 100 wounded. Police officers, firefighters, local residents and shop owners who aided the victims led the enormous crowds during the Paseo de Gracia boulevard to Placa de Catalunya, near Las Ramblas, where the attack unfolded. 

Solidarity marches also took place in Madrid, Valencia and Vigo. 

In joining the march, King Felipe became the first Spanish sovereign to participation in a public demonstration since before the Franco-era. 

He, Rajoy and Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, who are bitterly divided by an upcoming independence referendum, made a rare show of unity in standing firm against the attacks.