Protesters gather for Barcelona rally

There are 8,000 police on duty outside the summit


By Chris Morris in Barcelona
BBC Europe correspondent


Tens of thousands of trades unionists are gathering for a protest march in Barcelona ahead of the European Union summit which starts on Friday.
It is the first in a series of demonstrations planned over the next three days.

The vast majority of protesters say they intend to voice their concerns peacefully, but there are fears about violent protest as well.

The Spanish police are taking no chances.

Multiple concerns

More than 8,000 are on duty around the summit venue, which is protected by a huge metal fence.


Sewers are being regularly checked for bombs

An exclusion zone has been declared, and road and transport links nearby have been closed.

The authorities here are not so worried about the trades union protest taking place today - their focus is more on the activities of a lose network of anti-capitalist groups whose members have arrived in Barcelona from across Europe and beyond.

The police are also concerned about the possibility of the Basque Separatist group ETA trying to disrupt events in the city.

A senior security official admitted that the image of the summit closed off from the world is not a good one, but he said there was a responsibility to allow Europe's elected leaders to meet in safety.

The summit is supposed to be discussing economic reform, and efforts to make the European economy more competitive.

The Spanish authorities hope it will not be overshadowed by events on the streets.