A general strike called by pro-independence unions began on Friday morning, causing significant disturbances throughout Catalonia, which coincided wit
A general strike called by pro-independence unions began on Friday morning, causing significant disturbances throughout Catalonia, which coincided with reactivation of a European arrest warrant for the ex-president.
According to local news reports, 14 highways and hundreds of businesses have been shut down by protests, while metro and rail lines are running with reduced service.
Major tourist attractions are also affected as protestors block the entrance to the Sagrada Familia church and over 80% of the shops at Barcelona’s central market have closed for the strike.
Since Monday, hundreds of thousands of Catalan protestors have taken to the streets to express their outrage at the Supreme Court sentencing of pro-independence leaders to nine to 13 years of prison each.
While the days have been marked by massive, but generally peaceful protests, tensions have escalated for the last four nights.
On Thursday night, clashes broke out between Spanish far-right “ultras,” groups of anti-fascists and police.
Since Monday, over 100 people have been arrested and authorities estimate that the physical damage to Barcelona alone will cost €1.5 million ($1.6 million).
Carles Puigdemont, the ex-leader of Catalonia who fled to Belgium in 2017 before being captured in Spain, voluntarily turned himself over to Belgian authorities on Friday after a European arrest warrant was reactivated. He was subsequently released by the judge.
When Puigdemont was the president of Catalonia in 2017 he spearheaded an illegal independence referendum and later declared independence from Spain. It is for these activities that the other nine leaders, who did not flee, were sentenced to a near combined total of 100 years in prison.
Spanish authorities are bracing themselves for Friday night when protests are expected to reach their peak so far this week.
El Clasico postponed amid security issues
Spanish football’s highly-anticipated “El Clasico” match between Barcelona and Real Madrid was postponed on Friday over security concerns in Barcelona, according to the country’s football association.The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced on its website that the El Clasico was delayed amid violent Catalan protests in Barcelona.The highly-anticipated La Liga showdown was scheduled to be held in Barcelona’s home ground, Nou Camp Stadium, on Oct. 26. The RFEF will determine the new date if the two clubs fail to come to a decision by Monday.Spain’s top-tier football division, La Liga had previously requested the Spanish Football Federation the El Clasico to be reversed to Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium over the security concerns in Barcelona.There have been ongoing violent clashes between the police and Catalan pro-independence demonstrators following the imprisonment of nine Catalan separatist leaders on Monday.Protesters in Catalonia are angered by Monday’s Supreme Court ruling that sentenced nine separatist leaders to between nine and 13 years in prison for their role in the illegal independence referendum and the following declaration of independence in 2017.
Thousands converge on Barcelona for fifth day of Catalan protests
Hundreds of thousands of pro-independence supporters from across Spain’s northeastern region of Catalonia are expected to pour into Barcelona on Friday, as unions called for a general strike on the fifth day of protests following the jailing of nine separatist leaders.Many of those walking towards the Catalan capital were waving pro-independence flags, Reuters witnesses said.Tensions between Madrid and Catalonia have been rising since Monday, when Spain’s Supreme Court sentenced nine politicians and activists to up to 13 years in jail over their role in a failed 2017 independence bid.The sentences set off protests across the region, with protesters at times clashing with police.Video: Hundreds of thousands of Catalans march to Barcelona in support of jailed Catalan separatist leadersPro-independence leaders went ahead with a 2017 referendum on independence, despite it being deemed illegal by Spanish courts, followed by a declaration that the region was breaking away from Spain. Madrid responded by seizing control of the Catalan administration and putting the ringleaders on trial.Major roads were blocked off across Catalonia on Friday and several main streets in Barcelona were closed to traffic in anticipation of the marches, as well as picket lines that had begun springing up, while regional trains and the city’s metro were running on a reduced timetable.Barcelona’s El Prat airport, forced to cancel around 150 flights this week after it was barricaded by thousands of people, was running normally for the most part, according to Spain’s ministry of public works. Around 36 flights operated by Vueling were cancelled on Friday due to the strike, the Spanish low-cost airline owned by IAG said on Twitter.Barcelona town hall said 400 garbage containers were set ablaze during protests on Wednesday and estimated that the city had suffered damage totalling more than 1 million euros ($1.1 million) in two days.Thursday began with largely peaceful protests as young people draped in Catalan flags tossed balls and skipped rope. The mood shifted later in the night, with protesters setting fire to cafe chairs lining the fashionable Rambla de Catalunya street in the heart of Barcelona’s tourist district.Regional police said 16 people were arrested across Catalonia, while health officials said medical aid was provided to 42 people.Carmaker Seat, a unit of Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE), said it had halted production at its plant in Martorell, near Barcelona, from Thursday afternoon until Saturday, over concerns that the marches would disrupt traffic, a company spokeswoman said.