People trying to get to work, keep their businesses open or go about their daily lives faced disruption and violence across Spain today Wednesday, November 11, as a general strike over housing costs escalated into confrontations between protesters and police. In Barcelona, groups of hooded youths clashed with officers and smashed shop windows after a housing demonstration.

In Madrid, strike pickets faced police intervention at Mercamadrid and Gran Vía, while in Mallorca, shopkeepers arrived to find their shutters and locks glued shut. The incidents left businesses damaged, workers injured and dozens of people arrested, with the disruption extending well beyond the demonstrations themselves.

Barcelona violence erupts after peaceful march

The worst street violence was reported in central Barcelona after the main housing demonstration had finished. Groups of hooded youths began smashing shop windows around the junction of Passeig de Gràcia and Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, in some cases removing protective boards fitted ahead of the protests. Several rubbish containers were set alight and fires were started in the street. The groups also threw objects and set off fireworks and other pyrotechnics towards Mossos d’Esquadra officers, who had deployed riot units and police vans to the area.

The disturbances spread towards Plaça Catalunya, where some of those involved tried to force their way into the Apple store. Officers formed a cordon to protect businesses and moved in to disperse the groups. Further confrontations were reported around Urquinaona and Via Laietana, while firefighters were called to extinguish the fires. By 21:55, the number of people arrested over the disturbances in central Barcelona had risen to 18. The arrests followed the destruction of shop windows, fires and clashes with police. Catalan president Salvador Illa condemned the violence, stressing that it did not represent the peaceful demonstrators who had taken part in the march.

#HuelgaGeneral #madrid #11novembre Gran vía, Madrid 11-11-26 https://t.co/V80OrJwDmL

— . (@luisrojaspi) November 11, 2026

Madrid sees arrests and police charges

Madrid had already experienced confrontations from the early hours, particularly at Mercamadrid. Strike pickets attempting to disrupt activity at the wholesale market clashed with police, who used pepper spray during the intervention. Unions said up to 15 protesters received medical attention, while one person was arrested after allegedly throwing a barrier at officers. There were also confrontations at the municipal transport company’s bus depot in Carabanchel, where a police operation left eight people with minor injuries, according to reports. Other disruption was reported at transport depots in the capital.

Later, hundreds of demonstrators blocked Gran Vía for around two hours, chanting slogans including ‘Today we don’t consume, today we don’t work’. When officers from the National Police’s riot unit attempted to clear the road, pushing developed into police charges. Officers used batons against some demonstrators, and two people were arrested on suspicion of assaulting police. One protester suffered a head injury and was taken to hospital.

Further arrests were made in Puente de Vallecas, where police intervened over alleged damage and attempts to organise a blockade of the M-30. Two people were arrested over alleged damage and sabotage after sharp metal objects were thrown onto the road and a police vehicle tyre was punctured. Two others were detained on suspicion of assaulting officers while preparing the blockade. Another person was arrested in Arganzuela for alleged resistance and disobedience. By late afternoon, the total number of arrests across the Community of Madrid had reached 20, according to police sources. This figure covers incidents across the region during the strike, rather than only the confrontations in central Madrid.

Gases lacrimógenos y disparos en la salida de Gran Vía a plaza de España en Madrid. Sin informar, la policía nacional ha impedido el acceso a la plaza, reteniendo al flujo enorme de gente que llegaba. Parece, insisto, un conflicto provocado artificialmente #HuelgaGeneral11N https://t.co/xfzxClaRIs

— Luis Alcázar 🇪🇦🏳️‍🌈🇪🇺 (@luisalcazarluis) November 11, 2026

Mallorca shopkeepers find shutters glued shut

In Palma, some business owners faced a different form of disruption when they arrived to open their shops on Wednesday morning. Several found glue and silicone applied to the bottom of their metal shutters and inside their locks, leaving them unable to open their premises normally. Some businesses also found signs declaring ‘General strike, shop closed’. Workers attempting to go about their jobs were reportedly confronted and heckled by pickets.

The incidents were reported in several shops in central Palma. The Mallorca small-business association PIMECO condemned the deliberate obstruction, saying shopkeepers had the right to open if they chose to work during the strike. It urged affected businesses to photograph the damage and report it to police. For independent retailers, being forced to remain closed meant losing trading hours as well as potentially facing repair bills to remove the glue and silicone. No confirmed arrest figure was reported in connection with the incidents in Palma.

A strike over housing and wages

The nationwide walkout was called by unions and housing campaigners demanding action on rising rents, evictions, wages and public services. Demonstrations took place in cities across Spain, with most marches passing peacefully.

But the 18 arrests in Barcelona, 20 across the Community of Madrid and deliberate obstruction faced by businesses in Palma showed how far the disruption reached beyond the marches. Workers were left dealing with injuries and police action, while shopkeepers faced broken windows, damaged locks and lost trading hours.

People trying to get to work, keep their businesses open or go about their daily lives faced disruption and violence across Spain today Wednesday, November 11, as a general strike over housing costs escalated into confrontations between protesters and police. In Barcelona, groups of hooded youths clashed with officers and smashed shop windows after a housing demonstration.

In Madrid, strike pickets faced police intervention at Mercamadrid and Gran Vía, while in Mallorca, shopkeepers arrived to find their shutters and locks glued shut. The incidents left businesses damaged, workers injured and dozens of people arrested, with the disruption extending well beyond the demonstrations themselves.

Barcelona violence erupts after peaceful march

The worst street violence was reported in central Barcelona after the main housing demonstration had finished. Groups of hooded youths began smashing shop windows around the junction of Passeig de Gràcia and Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, in some cases removing protective boards fitted ahead of the protests. Several rubbish containers were set alight and fires were started in the street. The groups also threw objects and set off fireworks and other pyrotechnics towards Mossos d’Esquadra officers, who had deployed riot units and police vans to the area.

The disturbances spread towards Plaça Catalunya, where some of those involved tried to force their way into the Apple store. Officers formed a cordon to protect businesses and moved in to disperse the groups. Further confrontations were reported around Urquinaona and Via Laietana, while firefighters were called to extinguish the fires. By 21:55, the number of people arrested over the disturbances in central Barcelona had risen to 18. The arrests followed the destruction of shop windows, fires and clashes with police. Catalan president Salvador Illa condemned the violence, stressing that it did not represent the peaceful demonstrators who had taken part in the march.

#HuelgaGeneral #madrid #11novembre Gran vía, Madrid 11-11-26 https://t.co/V80OrJwDmL

— . (@luisrojaspi) November 11, 2026

Madrid sees arrests and police charges

Madrid had already experienced confrontations from the early hours, particularly at Mercamadrid. Strike pickets attempting to disrupt activity at the wholesale market clashed with police, who used pepper spray during the intervention. Unions said up to 15 protesters received medical attention, while one person was arrested after allegedly throwing a barrier at officers. There were also confrontations at the municipal transport company’s bus depot in Carabanchel, where a police operation left eight people with minor injuries, according to reports. Other disruption was reported at transport depots in the capital.

Later, hundreds of demonstrators blocked Gran Vía for around two hours, chanting slogans including ‘Today we don’t consume, today we don’t work’. When officers from the National Police’s riot unit attempted to clear the road, pushing developed into police charges. Officers used batons against some demonstrators, and two people were arrested on suspicion of assaulting police. One protester suffered a head injury and was taken to hospital.

Further arrests were made in Puente de Vallecas, where police intervened over alleged damage and attempts to organise a blockade of the M-30. Two people were arrested over alleged damage and sabotage after sharp metal objects were thrown onto the road and a police vehicle tyre was punctured. Two others were detained on suspicion of assaulting officers while preparing the blockade. Another person was arrested in Arganzuela for alleged resistance and disobedience. By late afternoon, the total number of arrests across the Community of Madrid had reached 20, according to police sources. This figure covers incidents across the region during the strike, rather than only the confrontations in central Madrid.

Gases lacrimógenos y disparos en la salida de Gran Vía a plaza de España en Madrid. Sin informar, la policía nacional ha impedido el acceso a la plaza, reteniendo al flujo enorme de gente que llegaba. Parece, insisto, un conflicto provocado artificialmente #HuelgaGeneral11N https://t.co/xfzxClaRIs

— Luis Alcázar 🇪🇦🏳️‍🌈🇪🇺 (@luisalcazarluis) November 11, 2026

Mallorca shopkeepers find shutters glued shut

In Palma, some business owners faced a different form of disruption when they arrived to open their shops on Wednesday morning. Several found glue and silicone applied to the bottom of their metal shutters and inside their locks, leaving them unable to open their premises normally. Some businesses also found signs declaring ‘General strike, shop closed’. Workers attempting to go about their jobs were reportedly confronted and heckled by pickets.

The incidents were reported in several shops in central Palma. The Mallorca small-business association PIMECO condemned the deliberate obstruction, saying shopkeepers had the right to open if they chose to work during the strike. It urged affected businesses to photograph the damage and report it to police. For independent retailers, being forced to remain closed meant losing trading hours as well as potentially facing repair bills to remove the glue and silicone. No confirmed arrest figure was reported in connection with the incidents in Palma.

A strike over housing and wages

The nationwide walkout was called by unions and housing campaigners demanding action on rising rents, evictions, wages and public services. Demonstrations took place in cities across Spain, with most marches passing peacefully.

But the 18 arrests in Barcelona, 20 across the Community of Madrid and deliberate obstruction faced by businesses in Palma showed how far the disruption reached beyond the marches. Workers were left dealing with injuries and police action, while shopkeepers faced broken windows, damaged locks and lost trading hours.

A festive day of Christmas shopping, live music and family entertainment is coming to Mallorca, with a waterfront charity fair hoping to raise vital funds for children affected by cancer across the Balearic Islands.

The Christmas fair will take place at the Port of Cala Nova on Saturday, November 14, from 11am until 4pm, bringing the local community together for an afternoon of festive fun in support of a particularly important cause.

With Christmas now approaching, organisers are encouraging residents and visitors to come along, browse the stalls and enjoy the entertainment while helping make a difference to families facing difficult circumstances.

Handmade gifts and festive entertainment

Visitors can expect a variety of stalls packed with handmade items, crafts and home-baked goodies, providing an opportunity to find something a little different for Christmas presents.

The programme will also include live music and dancing, with performances from the Baleares Children’s Choir among the entertainment planned for the afternoon.

There will be plenty of opportunities to get involved, including a tombola and raffle, while food will also be available thanks to a special spin-off from the Acocado Restaurant. This means visitors can make an afternoon of it and stop for lunch while enjoying the festivities overlooking the sea.

Raising money for children with cancer

Behind the Christmas celebrations is a fundraising effort for ASPANOB, an organisation supporting children with cancer and their families in the Balearic Islands.

The charity provides support to families navigating the challenges of childhood cancer, making community fundraising events such as this an important way to help its work.

Organisers are hoping for strong local support, with every purchase, donation and raffle ticket helping contribute towards the cause.

Christmas presents and donations welcome

As well as encouraging people to attend, organisers are appealing for donations to help bring some extra Christmas magic to children who may otherwise miss out.

Anyone wishing to contribute a new present is invited to bring it along, with the child’s gender and age clearly written on the wrapping. Gifts will be placed beneath the Christmas tree at the port.

Donations of home-baked cakes, bottles for the tombola and prizes for the raffle are also being welcomed.

Whether visitors come to pick up Christmas gifts, enjoy the choir, grab some lunch or simply support a worthwhile cause, the message from organisers is simple: everyone is welcome.

The Christmas fair takes place at Port of Cala Nova on Saturday, November 14, between 11am and 4pm. All proceeds will support ASPANOB and its work with children affected by cancer across the Balearic Islands.