The disturbances linked to Blocus in Barcelona and the mass arrival of thousands of people by sea in Ceuta in July appear to share a common pattern: social networks can turn dispersed audiences into communities capable of coordinating and acting.
The process resembles a marketing funnel. A message first reaches a large audience through platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or X. Some users then move into WhatsApp, Telegram or Signal groups, where information is filtered and a specific action is organised.
According to a Golden Owl report cited in the original analysis, Blocus-related calls have circulated on TikTok through videos and posters containing QR codes that lead to WhatsApp or Telegram groups. These closed spaces are used to coordinate actions.
The disturbances in Barcelona on October 24 resulted in 130 arrests. Of those detained, 123 were male: 49 adults and 74 minors. On October 31, more than 2,400 people were identified across Catalonia during an unprecedented police deployment. Although no damage was reported, boarded-up and closed shops in central Barcelona created an atmosphere far removed from normality.
A report published that weekend described a similar communication strategy in the case of Ceuta. Organisers allegedly first recruited supporters broadly through Facebook, then shared information in closed WhatsApp groups and finally diversified their communication channels to reduce the impact of possible service cuts by Moroccan or Spanish authorities.
The same mobilisation architecture can also be seen in the Manosphere, online communities and forums aimed at men that promote antifeminist or misogynistic views. A report by Reset Tech and Equimundo, discussed by Wired in August, described this ecosystem as a grievance industry worth billions of dollars.
According to the report, many young people initially encounter manosphere content while looking for seemingly harmless advice about dating, physical appearance or making money. Some creators then present their frustrations as the fault of other people and offer paid solutions, including courses, memberships, supplements, consultations and access to exclusive groups.
In this model, the funnel can lead to different outcomes: an economic transaction in the manosphere, a dangerous border crossing in Ceuta, or mobilisation and, in some cases, violent action in the context of Blocus. The recurring question is why platforms do not act more effectively when this recruitment and coordination logic becomes visible.
Sources: La Vanguardia.