Activists target Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia over climate inaction

Monday 01 September 2025 - 13:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Activists target Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia over climate inaction

Climate activists from the group Futuro Vegetal covered the iconic Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona with red and black paint on Sunday, protesting what they described as government inaction in the face of devastating wildfires across Spain. The demonstration highlighted growing frustration over the impact of climate change and the lack of effective measures to address it.

Footage shared by the group on social media shows police arresting two protesters at the scene while they shouted demands for "climate justice." The Sagrada Familia, designed by renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, remains one of Barcelona’s most visited landmarks, attracting millions of tourists annually.

Fires spark outrage and call for action

The protest came amid a series of catastrophic forest fires that have swept across Spain this summer, leaving four people dead and burning more than 350,000 hectares (870,000 acres) of land in just two weeks, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS). The Spanish government has described the situation as "one of the biggest environmental catastrophes" in recent history and acknowledged the connection to climate change.

While emergency services reported on Saturday that the crisis was easing, with civil protection director Virginia Barcones announcing the emergency was "coming to an end," activists argue that stronger policies are urgently needed to prevent future disasters.

A history of bold demonstrations

Futuro Vegetal, known for its dramatic protests, has staged numerous high-profile actions in recent years to draw attention to climate issues. In 2022, members of the group glued their hands to frames of paintings by Spanish master Francisco de Goya at Madrid’s Prado Museum. They have also targeted luxury assets, including a superyacht in Ibiza believed to belong to Walmart heiress Nancy Walton Laurie and a mansion owned by former FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

Spanish authorities have arrested several members of the group over the years, including 22 people last year following various demonstrations. Among those detained were the organization’s three main leaders. Despite legal repercussions, Futuro Vegetal continues to push for urgent governmental and societal change to combat the worsening climate emergency.