Around 1,000 protest in Barcelona against 'systematic attacks' on journalists in Gaza

Nearly a thousand protesters gathered on Wednesday in Barcelona’s Plaça de Sant Jaume to denounce what they called a “systemic attack” on journalists in Gaza.

Following the killing of five journalists in Palestine by Israeli forces this week, more than a hundred organizations, trade unions, and media outlets organized the demonstration to condemn what they described as an “attack on press freedom.”

Photographs of Mariam Abu Daqa, Hossam Al-Masri, Moath Abu Taha, Mohammad Salameh, and Ahmad Abu Aziz — all journalists killed on Monday and clearly identifiable as press — were displayed prominently during the protest.

Organizers criticized what they called a “policy of terror” aimed at “burying the truth” and warned that such actions “put everyone at risk.”

“They want to carry out their genocide against the Palestinian people without witnesses. This is a propaganda war against journalism and the truth,” a spokesperson said.

Protesters denounced that since Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, the Israeli military has killed at least 244 journalists.

They also proposed that newspapers include on their front pages the number of journalists who have lost their lives while covering the conflict.

Meanwhile, protesters also spoke about an initiative that will take place this Sunday in Barcelona, where dozens of ships will set sail for Gaza in what they described as the "largest humanitarian mission" organized since the blockade of the Strip.

"It will be a historic day," said Saif Abukeshek, spokesperson for the mission. "We will set out to break the blockade. It will be the biggest mission by sea organized since 2007."