Protesting teachers block access to Sagrada Família as part of education strikes

More than 150 teachers blocked access to the Sagrada Família on Monday morning, where they held a sit-in in front of the Nativity facade.

The protest is part of the day of education strikes in the Barcelona area, kicking off a week of industrial action in the sector.

The protesters prevented the Sagrada Família from being able to open at 9am as scheduled.

Those who had tickets to visit will be issued refunds.

The action began at 8am, when a group of teachers began the sit-in. Shortly afterwards, a human chain was formed around school tables and chairs in front of the famous Nativity façade, recreating a classroom in a protest action.

Catalan police deployed vans and anti-riot agents in front of the sit-in protest site as well as some corners of the temple's perimeter.

Police registered and identified at least one of the protesters and confiscated the pyrotechnic material he was carrying.

Demonstrators chanted against the government's educational policy and the Minister of Education, Esther Niubó, throughout the morning.

Also as part of the protest, they denounced the over-tourism and the amount of public resources allocated to attracting visitors while public services are getting worse, they warn.