PABLO HASEL PROTESTS

In February 2021, protests erupted in Barcelona after rapper Pablo Hasél was jailed for posts on social media and lyrics criticizing the monarchy and government. His arrest, seen by many as an attack on free speech, sparked outrage among Spain's youth, already frustrated by economic hardship and political stagnation. What began as peaceful demonstrations soon escalated into clashes with police, reflecting deeper concerns about censorship and the state’s growing control over dissent.

TOPMANTA

Top Manta emerges as a distinctive Barcelona-based clothing brand, originating from the innovative efforts of the Barcelona Street Vendors Union Topmanta. Primarily composed of West African migrants, they’ve established a noticeable presence in the city, eliciting both admiration and controversy. While proponents view Top Manta as a resourceful survival strategy for marginalized communities, skeptics decry it as engaging in illegal practices and posing unfair competition to legitimate businesses.
In 2020, during the lockdowns, the vendors transitioned from vending counterfeit goods to knitting and providing essential medical products to hospitals facing shortages.