Rally gathered in Barcelona against terrorism

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Thousands of people demonstrated in Barcelona on Saturday against terrorism under the motto "No tinc por" (I am not afraid), after the attacks in Spain that killed 15 people and injured more than 100 others.

Placards of "I am not afraid", "We want peace, not arm sales", "The best answer is peace", "Their wars, our death" were seen carried among more than 500,000 people walking through the streets of Barcelona, according to local police.

People place placards and candles to pay tribute to the victims of the Barcelona and Cambrils attacks on the Rambla boulevard in Barcelona on August 26, during a march against terrorism which slogan is #NoTincPor (I'm Not Afraid). /AFP Photo

The demonstration started at 6:00 p.m. local time (1600 GTM) at Jardinets de Gracia, was planned to go through the famous street Passeig de Gracia and finish at Placa Catalunya, the square just before the Ramblas, the iconic street and site of the first attack in which a van rammed into pedestrians killing 13 people and injuring over 100.

At Placa Catalunya, Catalan actress Rosa Maria Sarda and Miriam Hatibi, spokeswoman for Ibn Battuta foundation, made a joint speech. They said they were proud of the rapid response of emergency services and citizens that show solidarity, adding that love wins above hate.

A Muslim man carrying a Spanish flag and a placard reading "I am Muslim, this criminal group does not represent us. Islam is a religion of peace and security" shakes hands with a woman in Barcelona on August 26, during a march against terrorism. / AFP Photo

"We are millions of people refusing violence and defending coexistence in Manchester and in Nairobi, in Paris and in Bagdad, in Brussels and New York, in Berlin and in Kabul", Sarda said.

In Ripoll where the 12-people cell behind the attacks was allegedly formed, a demonstration against terrorism was also held at the same time as in Barcelona. Hafida Oukabir, sister of Moussa Oukabir (one of the five suspected men shot dead after stabbing pedestrians in Cambrils) and Driss Oukabir (arrested) made an emotional speech, saying that "we have to work together so that this will not happen again", adding that "we have to be self-critical and change many things".

The Rambla boulevard in Barcelona on August 26, 2017, shows people gathering around a flower tribute for the victims of last week's deadly attacks. /AFP Photo

On Friday, another demonstration was also held in Cambrils, where a woman was killed and five people were injured in a car attack, with the participation of more than 16,000 people, according to local police.

Barcelona's demonstration was led by members of the civil society, emergency and health services, regional and national police as well as people who helped those affected by the attacks. They were followed by the victims' families.

Spanish King Felipe VI, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, as well as Catalan authorities such as the president of the regional government Carles Puigdemont, also attended the demonstration.

Source(s): AFP ,Xinhua News Agency