The social fashion brand of Barcelona's street vendors, , has released two t-shirts that reinterpret the iconic aesthetic of the Barcelona Football Club to raise awareness about forced migration. The shirts are part of the new collection , which translates to 'Barcelona or death' in Senegalese. This phrase is what migrants say before starting their boat journey to .
, the institutional vice president of FC Barcelona, shared her support for the initiative on social media: "It's heartbreaking to hear Barça or Barzakh. To see Barça as a symbol of hope for vulnerable individuals. It's inspiring to be the beacon of hope for the underprivileged.
We are here and will always be here." In 2023 alone, at least 6,618 people lost their lives on their way to Spain, with NGOs reporting an average of 18 deaths every day. The clothing brand aims to honor the lives lost and criticize the migration policies of the through their apparel.
They also seek to raise awareness globally about the lack of safe migration routes and the challenges faced by migrants trying to settle in Europe, where exclusion, stigma, and racism towards migrants still persist. The t-shirts, both short-sleeved, come in blue and scarlet as well as black and gray. The front features the inscription in the center, the brand logo on the upper left, and the Barça crest with a raised fist symbolizing resilience and resistance on the right.
On the back, the Senegalese phrase is displayed, along with a Catalan explanation at.
