Arran radical separatists vandalize Gerard Piqué’s house in Cerdanya: “Poppies outside”

This weekend, the luxurious house of Gerard Poke in the region of Cerdagne was the subject of an act of vandalism by Arranthe youth organization of the Catalan independence left linked to CUP. The radicals, armed with green spray, covered the facade of the former footballer’s second home with graffiti. FC Barcelona with messages like “go out chic.”

This incident is part of a campaign aimed at denouncing the housing crisis and the increase in rent prices in the Pyrenees Catalan. In a video posted on social media, Arran showed their attack on Pique’s house, justifying it as a form of protest against what they see as the “tourist monoculture” that is stifling the region.

“We are going on the offensive against the wealthy, the rentiers and the speculators who are transforming our lives into misery,” the organization said in its publication. The video begins with a question addressed to the audience: “Are you tired of having to go and live abroad because you cannot afford decent accommodation in Cerdanya? It then shows a hooded man dressed in a black suit in front of the former player’s residence, emphasizing: “Today we are going to show you Gerard Piqué’s second residence.”

According to the voiceover in the video, Piqué’s house symbolizes a problem affecting young people in the region: “Even if you have to leave because you can’t pay the rent, 64% of housing in Cerdanya is second homes and thirds, which are open on average only 14 days per year.

The action was accompanied by images of the region, highlighting that these territories have become a refuge for “the chic people of Barcelona”. Arran harshly criticized those buying properties in the area, using luxury facilities such as ski slopes or golf courses, and described their presence as a form of “Instagram posturing”.

Young independence supporters say people like Piqué are responsible for the economic hardship faced by local residents, who must work long hours to earn minimum wage serving tourists.

In his message, Arran reiterated his opposition to the current tourism model and made his stance clear towards public figures like Piqué. “We are neither your backdrop nor your trusted speculator,” they say in the video, which ends with a threat: “We will not hesitate to go to the ultimate consequences to win this battle and achieve a life worth living.”

Gerard Piqué, whose usual residence is in Espluges de Llobregathas not spoken publicly about the attack on his property. The act sparked mixed reactions on social media, where some criticized Arran’s methodology while others supported the complaint against the housing crisis and the impact of luxury tourism in the Catalan Pyrenees.