When we take our children on vacation, we imagine the wonder in their eyes as they discover all this world has to offer. We think about patting ourselves on the back for exposing them to something new and making them more cultured and empathetic people. Rarely, when we plan trips do we think about the downsides of travel.
We don’t factor in potentially cranky children or inhospitable environments. But for one family vacationing in Barcelona, Spain, that’s exactly what they experienced.
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A man slapped a 1-year-old girl.
A raging man in Barcelona was arrested after he slapped a 1-year-old girl traveling with her parents in Barcelona, the Daily Mail reported. The altercation began with the man screaming at the family, including the little girl.
Initially, he only pretended to hit the girl, stopping a few inches shy of her face. Then he took another swing, connecting with her left cheek. After the assault, her father swooped in and picked up the crying girl before he and her mother walked away from the man.
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The man had been on a violent rampage that weekend.
The child suffered minor injuries but did not require hospitalization, the police reported. The incident took place on the walkway on Montjuic hill. The alleged assailant was a 31-year-old Ecuadorian national. The toddler was his third alleged victim that weekend.
One of his other alleged victims, a 60-year-old man, suffered cuts to his face and walked away with bruises all over his body. Police arrested the suspected attacker on Sunday with the help of surveillance footage and descriptions from witnesses. The man will appear in court on Tuesday.
This summer, residents protested against tourists around Barcelona.
The attack comes after a summer fraught with anti-tourism protests throughout Spain, including Barcelona. On July 6, thousands marched in popular areas chanting “tourists go home,” CNN reported. Others carried signs that read, “Barcelona is not for sale.” Some took their message a step further, spraying people with water guns.
Residents say tourism contributes to wealth disparity.
The protestors argue that the rising number of tourists has impacted the cost of living and quality of life for local residents. According to official figures, 26 million people visited the Barcelona area in 2023. They spent $13.8 billion.
The Assemblea de Barris pel Decreixement Turístic (Neighborhood Assembly for Tourism Degrowth) says the visitors place strain on public services. They also claim that the profits from the industry are unfairly distributed, increasing social inequality.
