At least nine people have been arrested this Monday in Bilbao during the riots recorded after the cancellation of an event by Vito Quiles in the vicinity of the University of Deusto. The incidents have left several vehicles burned, containers used as barricades, and confrontations with the Ertzaintza, which has had to redeploy its riot units to intervene in the area.
The altercations began late in the afternoon on the avenue of lehendakari Aguirre, in the neighborhood of Deusto, and then spread to the vicinity of the Iberdrola tower. Several hooded individuals have crossed containers, launched flares, and set fire to parked cars and a motorcycle of the Bilbao Municipal Police. Firefighters have arrived to extinguish the fires while the Ertzaintza advanced through the streets to disperse the participants.
The Department of Security of the Basque Government has reported that a group of people concentrated against Quiles' visit headed towards the Deusto police station with stones. It has also pointed to a possible premeditated action, as the incidents occurred when the event had been canceled for hours.
Vito Quiles suspends the event for security reasons
The communicator was scheduled to hold a meeting at 7:00 PM in Bilbao, but announced its cancellation after contacting the Ertzaintza and learning about the risk of incidents.
According to the Department of Security, Quiles called the Basque Police at 2:00 PM to inquire if he could move the event to another location, a possibility that was ruled out. At 4:06 PM he communicated in writing that he was renouncing to hold it.
On his social media, Quiles has assured that he had received a warning about a "very high" risk of incidents and has held the participants in the protests responsible for the suspension. "Freedom of expression is sacred but not more important than protecting the integrity of all the good young people who attend these events", he stated.
He has also linked the controversy to the general elections on November 29, warning that he will return to Bilbao and call for a response at the polls.
Controversy over the withdrawal of the Ertzaintza's device
One of the most controversial points of the day has been the police action. Although the Ertzaintza had deployed a wide security device from the early hours, some of the agents have withdrawn after the cancellation of the event was announced.
The fires began when the police presence had been reduced and the riot units returned around 7:40 PM, after the disturbances had been ongoing for several minutes.
The police union Erne has criticized the decision to dismantle the operation and has asked for explanations from the security officials. According to the organization, the cancellation of an event does not automatically eliminate the risk of incidents, especially when concentrations continue and there is tension in the streets.
The University of Deusto has suspended classes
The day had begun with two mobilizations against the visit of Quiles. The first, called by the student organization Ikasle Antolakunde Sozialista (IAS), took place in the morning, while another demonstration by antifascist groups occurred in the afternoon.
In anticipation of protests, the University of Deusto has suspended its activities from 2:00 PM and has closed the Bilbao campus starting at 3:00 PM. The institution has clarified that the event announced by Quiles was unrelated to the university and has rejected messages and behaviors that may harm coexistence.
The visit has also provoked a crossfire of political statements. The youth organizations of the PSE-EE and the PNV have criticized the presence of the communicator, while the Basque PP has defended its right to express its opinions and has questioned the closure of the campus.