'We are not afraid': Defiant Barcelona marches against terror

Hundreds of thousands of people have marched
shoulder to shoulder in Barcelona in an act of
solidarity following last week's twin terror attacks.
The peace event was organised as a mark of respect
to the 15 people who died and the more than 100
who were injured.
Waving banners and flags, the crowds broke out into
spontaneous applause as they vowed not to be
cowed by the terrorists.
In an unprecedented move, King Felipe VI also took
part, along with the Spanish Prime Minister and the
local mayor.
King Felipe VI of Spain (centre) took part in the
march
Those who helped the victims, including the
emergency services, taxi drivers and shopkeepers,
were at the head of the march, as the crowds
stretched back a mile.
Red, yellow and white roses were handed out - the
colours associated with the Spanish city - and a sea
of Catalan flags could be seen far into the distance,
a symbol of local togetherness and unity.
People of all ages and ethnicities waved banners
which read "we are not afraid" and "the best
response is peace".
Red, yellow and white roses were handed out
Twenty-year-old Carlos Pintado said: "I felt
compelled to come. I live on the outskirts of
Barcelona and we have to show that we stand
together.
"Peace is important, not terror. I have walked down
Las Ramblas myself so many times."
The first of the two attacks happened on the famous
tourist boulevard on 17 August, when a van ploughed
into crowds of people.
The crowds stretched back as far as the eye
could see
Just hours later, there was a similar attack in the
seaside resort of Cambrils, around 70 miles
southwest of Barcelona.
Inevitably, security has been stepped up in the city,
with armed police patrolling where the terror attack
took place.
And as crowds marched, police helicopters circled
overhead.
There is a sense that Spain is a country still coming
to terms with what happened, but this is a nation that
refused to be cowed - a nation that stands together

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