What to expect from Spain's general strike and Palestine protests on Friday

Spain’s General Confederation of Labour (CGT) has called for a general strike on Friday September 27th in solidarity with Palestine and to demand that the Spanish government break diplomatic and commercial relations with Israel. 

For the CGT, Spain's recognition of Palestinian statehood "is nothing more than a symbolic act where the aim is to demobilise the various trade unions and social actions, thus delaying the implementation of real measures."

The trade union has also slammed current and previous governments as "shameful in that they have not applied any kind of sanctions to trade with the Zionist State, just as the purchase and sale of arms to Israel has intensified." 

The CGT's demands, which are supported by more than 150 organisations, will be taken to the streets this Friday in various demonstrations across the country.

Although a general strike usually involves workers from different if not all economic activities not working, it is unclear how many people will actually take part in the huelga (strike) and the protests.

CGT has more than 100,000 members from a broad spectrum of industries.

The movement appears to have the support of students and young people in particular, and the general strike has been primarily covered in left-wing news websites in Spain. 

However, that’s not to say that there won’t be some disturbances to travel. In fact, early on Friday morning several trains in Galicia have been cancelled or delayed due to the strike.

Traffic jams and roadblocks are expected in areas close to where the protests will be taking place, so make plans accordingly if you need to travel.

Here is a breakdown of the main protests:

Madrid

In Madrid, the event will start at 12 noon at Complutense University’s Faculty of Humanities. There will be another demo at 1pm at Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Plaza del Marques de Salamanca) near Lista metro stop and another event at 6pm, which will go from the aforementioned faculty to Atocha.

Barcelona

Two major protests will take part in Barcelona, the Catalan capital being the city in Spain which is expected to be the most affected by the strike action. One march starts at 11am at Diagonal, one of Barcelona’s busiest central avenues, and another demonstration starts at 6pm in the Jardines de Gracia, also in the city centre.

Valencia 

In Valencia, three rallies have been called at 12 noon, one at the University of Valencia, another at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, and the third at the Port of Valencia. From 2 pm onwards, a rally will also be held at the entrance to the Hospital de la Fe; while in the afternoon organisers have called for a demonstration that will kick off from Plaza de San Agustín to Plaza de América, where they plan to hold a concert.

Zaragoza

A student demo will begin at 11.20am in Plaza San Francisco in Zaragoza. The main demonstration will take place at 8pm.

Castilla y León

In Valladolid there is a rally scheduled for 12 noon at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (Facultad de Filosofía y Letras).

In Salamanca, the demo will start at 11:30 a.m. at the Plaza del Liceo. There will be another meeting at the Subdelegación del Gobierno government building at 1.30pm.