By Canadian Press

Street clashes erupt in Madrid after street vendor’s death

Mar 15, 2018 | 5:15 PM

MADRID — Street clashes erupted Thursday night in central Madrid over the death of a 35-year-old African vendor who witnesses said died trying to escape from police cracking down on illegal street sales.

Hundreds of protesters burned plastic trash bins, blocking narrow streets in the Lavapies neighbourhood of the Spanish capital. An Associated Press reporter saw protesters throw stones at dozens of riot police officers. Rioters also set fire to the facade of a bank branch and broke glass partitions at a bus stop.

Madrid’s emergency service said 16 police officers and four civilians were treated for minor injuries.

The Spanish news agency Europa Press quoted police as saying the vendor died of cardiorespiratory arrest while running from officers.

“I regret very much the death of a citizen in Lavapies,” Madrid Mayor Manuela Carmena tweeted, adding that the municipal government would “investigate thoroughly what happened and act accordingly.”

Young minds, big ideas: Elementary students learn about urban planning with 'Box City'

19h ago

HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Summer pool hours extended and discounts applied as Big Marble Go Centre upgrades start

Apr 18, 2024

Medicine Hat company drawing in clients with witty signage

Apr 16, 2024

Doudou Diouf, who described himself as a friend of the dead man, said the vendor had lived in Spain for 12 years and had applied unsuccessfully three times for legal residency.

“He was a good guy. He doesn’t deserve this,” Diouf said.

One resident, who gave his name only as Marcos, told AP that earlier in the day he saw police on foot and on motorbikes pursuing a group of African street vendors. He said the chase began in Madrid’s central Puerta del Sol square and headed toward the Lavapies neighbourhood.

The Associated Press