More Than 100,000 Joined Pro-Palestinian Protests In Madrid That Ended Spanish Vuelta

MADRID (AP) -Snakenol officials, Spanish Vuelta’s final stage interrupted and organizers on Sunday forced the Grand Tour activity to shorten the last pro-Palestinian protests and more than 100,000 people took part in the deduction campaign, he said.

Central government’s representative of the Madrid region, authorities, more than 100,000 people participated in the protests on Sunday, he said. The number could not be confirmed independently.

Fran Martín Aguirre added that two people were detained by the police.

Jonas Visma-Lease Bike ”rider Jonas Vinggegaard was confirmed as the general winner of the three-week bike race.

There were clashes between the police and protesters near the route final in Madrid. Some protesters carrying anti -Israeli posters partially blocked the path and forced the rider to stop.

There was no stage winner and a podium ceremony was called for security concerns. The organizers said the last stage was “ending early to ensure the safety of the riders”.

The race officials, “Madrid protests due to the race ended earlier than planned and there will be no podium ceremony,” he said.

On the 21st stage, which is mostly a ceremonial journey to Madrid, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) remained.

On Saturday, Vinggegaard expanded his general leadership against João Almeida with a bullet for 1 minute and 16 seconds.

He was the third Grand Tour title of Vinggegaard and added to Tour de France, which was won in 2022 and 2023.

Protesters threw obstacles in the last period in the Spanish capital. The riders were expected to take nine rounds in the circuit.

A few hundred protesters remained on the way to pass. Anti -Israeli posters were also hung from nearby buildings. The protests continued well in the evenings in Madrid, most peaceful.

Previously, the protesters threw objects to the police and the officers used tear gas to try to distribute crowds. Spanish media said that 20 people were injured and at least two people were detained.

The race continued for a short time on Sunday after the race was told to stop the racing organizers because of protests, but the authorities and organizers had to stop again as they discussed the situation.

Police accompanied the riders when leaving the track.

Protesters carrying Palestinian flags were shaken when the team’s support cars crossed along the route.

The police in Riot Gear faced the protesters at different points along the route. More than 1,500 police officers were deployed before the last stage.

Starting from the nearby Alalpardo, there was no big incident when they set out in the last stage of 103.6 kilometers (64.3 miles).

The Spanish media said tens of thousands of protesters participated. Approximately 50,000 fans were expected in the Spanish capital.

Grand Tour Event diplomatic warfare And at the beginning of the race by protesters, it was greatly broken against the presence of Premier Tech, previously owned by Israel. The team lifted their name uniforms.

Israel’s leading technology rider Matthew Riccitello generally became fifth and ended with White Jersey for the youngest ending.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Joined Ireland and Norway By recognizing a Palestinian state Last year and Spain became the first European country to attend a UN court. South Africa’s case He blames Israel of genocide. On Sunday, athletes were respected before the protests, but expressed their admiration for those who mobilized for such reasons.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized on Sunday for saying that he was encouraging Sánchez for protesters on X.

Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida criticized Sánchez and called Sunday a sad day for the Spanish capital.

Israel strongly rejected the genocide charges in Gaza and defended Hamas’s military actions in response to the deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Seven of the last 11 days race Short or interruptedWith more than 20 people detained by the police. At one stage, a protestist carrying a Palestinian flag tried to run the road in front of the riders and caused the two to collapse. They continued, but one of them finally had to leave the race.

The route of the last stage was cut 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) on traffic concerns.

Previous stages have been changed due to security concerns on the protests.

Authorities, Madrid, the final of the final traveling to 130 officers to add to the presence of heavy police said. Military trucks, rebellion equipment and riding police officers were seen near the route in Madrid.