A huge crowd with Catalan flags has paralyzed central Barcelona as people from all across the region protested the harsh prison sentences for pro-independence leaders by the Spanish court and called for parting ways with Madrid.
The exact numbers of protesters is not yet known, but the local media estimated the turnout at “hundreds of thousands.” The unions behind the action earlier said that they were expecting one million to show up.
The general strike kicked off in Catalonia’s capital early on Friday, with small businesses not opening and employees of bigger firms and factories skipping work.
The walkout caused the cancellation of almost 60 flights at Barcelona-El Prat Airport as well as the disruption of train operations in some parts of the region. Many more flights were canceled in Barcelona in previous days as the demonstrators made the airport completely inaccessible. The total energy consumption in Catalonia went down 12 percent Friday, the local government said.
Road traffic was also affected as the protesters blocked roads and highways by setting tires on fire and leaving nails on the asphalt.
The large groups of people who marched from various parts of Catalonia started arriving in Barcelona at around noon Friday and brought the city to a standstill. They had set out on their journey to the regional capital from Girona, Tarragona, Vic, Martorell and others cities by foot on Wednesday.
Students staged minor protests throughout Barcelona in anticipation of the major rally, which was scheduled for 5pm local time. Scuffles with the police were also reported, but no major clashes so far.
A group of pro-independence activists also camped outside the entrance to the iconic Sagrada Familia basilica in the heart of Barcelona. Students staged minor protests throughout Barcelona in anticipation of the major rally, which was scheduled for 5pm local time. A group of pro-independence activists also camped outside the entrance to the iconic Sagrada Familia basilica in the heart of Barcelona.
Barcelona has been in turmoil since Monday when Spain’s Supreme Court sentenced nine politicians and activists to up to 13 years behind bars for organizing the referendum on Catalonia’s independence in 2017. The plebiscite, which saw the majority of the population voting for secession from Spain, was labeled illegal by Madrid and met with a harsh police crackdown that left hundreds of people injured.
Thursday was the most violent day of protests in Barcelona as the demonstrators built barricades, burnt bonfires and clashed with police. Some 80 people, including 46 police officers were injured, Madrid claimed.
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