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(CNN in Spanish) - Demonstrations for three days, dozens of flights canceled, incendiary barricades in the streets, about 30 detainees. When did chaos begin in Catalonia? Here we explain it to you.
MIRA: Catalonia is still boiling in street protests
Why did it all start?
After a trial that lasted eight months against twelve Catalan leaders for promoting the independence process, this Monday the Supreme Court announced sentences totaling nearly 100 years for the crime of sedition, for having declared a referendum, in October 2017, to declare Catalonia an independent nation of Spain. Highlights the sentence to the former vice president of Catalonia, Oriol Junqueras, 13 years in prison and 13 years of absolute professional disqualification.
Who did they condemn and for how long?
In addition to the sentence against Junqueras, which received the highest penalty, the court sentenced Raül Romeva, Jordi Turull and Dolors Bassa to 12 years in prison and 12 years of absolute disqualification; the former president of the Catalan Parliament, Carme Forcadell, for the crime of sedition, was sentenced to 11 years and 6 months in prison and the same period of absolute disqualification; Joaquim Forn and Josep Rull were sentenced to 10 years and 6 months in prison and 10 years and 6 months of absolute disqualification; and Jordi Sánchez and Jordi Cuixart, two influential grassroots activists, with sentences of 9 years in prison and 9 years of absolute disqualification.
LEE: New demonstrations in Catalonia after publication of sentences to independentistas
How did the demonstrations begin?
After knowing the sentence, the dissatisfied, who blame the sentence on the Spanish Government, cut highways and blocked train tracks this Monday. In addition, there were clashes with the Police at the El Prat airport. This Tuesday, the protests continued, to the point that about 50 flights were canceled.
This Wednesday, CNN learned that there were about 30 detainees on account of the protests in Catalonia, and some streets were still closed because on Tuesday night the protesters installed barricades with burning furniture that cut the streets.
Jordi Orobitg, deputy of the Republican Esquerra Party of Catalonia, explained to María Alejandra Requena, of CNN in Spanish, that this judicial decision to condemn the independentists is seen by the Catalan people as a new aggression, which does not seek anything else to question and eliminate the political rights of Catalan society.
MIRA: Catalonia shaken by protests after the court ruling against independence leaders
What is the last thing we know about the demonstrations?
This Wednesday morning, five columns of protesters departed from five different locations located in the north, center and south of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia (Girona, Vic, Berga, Tàrrega and Tarragona) as an action to protest the sentence published on Monday by the Supreme Court against twelve independent leaders. Under the name of "Marches for Freedom" and organized by the independence organizations Cultural Omnium and Catalan National Assembly, protesters intend to walk the distances that separate them from Barcelona on foot, where they are expected to arrive this Friday to participate in a rally organized at 5pm (local time) in the city center.
What have rulers done?
On Tuesday, the president of the Generalitat, Quim Torra, sent letters to King Felipe VI and the acting president of the government, Pedro Sánchez, asking for a negotiation that would lead to a solution to the Catalan political crisis in recent days. However, on Tuesday Torra said he had not received a response from Sánchez or the king.
However, on Wednesday night, the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, said in a press conference: “I have met with the main parliamentary leaders to address the situation in Catalonia. I have invited you to maintain unity in the face of this challenge. Violent groups want us exalted and divided. That is your only hope. They must find us firm, serene and united. ”
READ: The protests in Catalonia are expected to continue after the “procés” ruling
In addition, Sánchez addressed Torra in the same address: “I wish to make an express appeal to the president of the Generalitat of Catalonia. Both he and the members of his Government, have a political duty, have a moral duty to condemn without excuse and without palliative, with the utmost clarity and determination, the use of violence in Catalonia ”.
Barcelona Manifestations