Graffiti

Yes, I am home and settling in, but I have so many posts I did not get to. I will try to finish up in the next few weeks before I look at the pictures and wonder what they are from, just like I have forgotten my Spanish!

For example, I have written a bit about graffiti, but there is more.

This anti-Nazi, pro-independence, and pro-squatter (the sideways N in the circle) graffiti was at my language school. I admit that I am the one that wrote to the city asking that it be removed.

Not long after a truck showed up

and it has been blank ever since.

Here are samples of other graffiti around town.

The 33 refers to the letters cc, which is racist shorthand about keeping Catalonia Catalan and excluding others. The symbol next to the 33 is the Catalan flag with a star, which represents Catalonian independence.

"Young people from Sant Cugat support the PAH (the right-to-housing group that helps people who have been evicted). Bank criminals are guilty!"

"Twenty years of fighting," followed by the symbols for the youth independence movement.

Because this is in purple it is a feminist message.
"Aggressors, you are not welcome here."

"Less jingoism.
More socialism.
Sant Cugat expelled residents."

"The independence we want is rebellious and disobedient."
This spot is very popular for graffiti. I saw it repainted several times.

"Freedom for Catalan Countries."

More squatters symbols.
"They won't be able to evict popular culture."

"Give life to dead spaces."

This is related to the one above, encouraging empty buildings (e.g. former slaughter house) to be used as a place for young people to make music and hang out. 

This one is more universal.
"Against the increase in public transportation fees."

I could not have understood this without out the help of J., who came over about once a week to practice English. His translations of the culture all year long were invaluable!