Protesters clash with police over Spain squat eviction

BARCELONA: Police clashed with protesters who burned bins and vehicles in Barcelona on Monday as anger boiled over at the eviction of activists from a well-known squat.
Officers made several arrests as hooded youths smashed windows and hurled stones at police and journalists in the streets of the northeastern city.
Police had earlier evicted occupants who had chained themselves down inside the "Can Vies", a building owned by the local transport authority but occupied since 1997 by activists who have used it as a community centre.
Officers evicted them earlier on Monday following a court order after negotiations between the city and the youths occupying the building broke down.
A few hours after the eviction, hundreds of protesters marched in protest in the evening in a demonstration that degenerated into clashes with riot cops charging groups of youths.
A police spokesman told AFP there had been arrests but could not confirm how many.
Since being occupied by radical left-wing groups 17 years ago, Can Vies had been used to host concerts, film screenings, debates and training courses.
The city transport authority plans to knock it down to develop the surrounding area. – AFP