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500,000 protesters in Barcelona: general strike paralyzes Catalonia

2019-10-18T18:58:43.126Z


Closed shops, canceled flights, blocked roads: In the dispute over high prison sentences for Catalan leaders, a general strike and mass demonstrations paralyze the region.



In Barcelona, ​​more than half a million followers of the Catalan independence movement have taken to the streets, police said. About 525,000 people protest on Friday against the long-term prison sentences for prominent independence advocates, as the police told the city. The rally was the culmination of protests since Monday. A general strike has largely paralyzed the breakaway region.

The main rally on the magnificent boulevard Passeig de Gracia in the center of Barcelona went without major incidents. The participants demanded the release of the "political prisoners" in a mostly boisterous mood and sang the Catalan anthem. Not far away, however, a demonstration of several hundred mostly young people in front of the police headquarters again led to clashes with the police. It was the fifth rallying day in a row in Barcelona.

Around 30,000 people participate in "Marches for Freedom"

Masked and dark-clad Antifa activists, who only recently took part in the separatist protests in this large number, threw police officers among other things with stones and eggs and lit again dumpster. The officers used batons against the rioters. The police said three protesters - including two minors - were arrested. An official had been injured.

DPA / Manu Fernandez

Firefighters try to control a burning street barricade

The protests also reached the Sagrada Familia, one of Barcelona's landmarks. Hundreds of demonstrators temporarily blocked the access to the world-famous church. Later, the gates of the still unfinished basilica of the architect Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926) were completely closed "to guarantee the safety of visitors, workers and staff".

Read here an analysis of the conflicts in Catalonia

The mass rally was attended by around 30,000 people who had come to Barcelona in five "Marches for Freedom". A few days ago, accompanied by numerous tractors, they made their way to Barcelona from different cities.

As a result of the general strike, several dozen flights, mainly of the companies Iberia and Vueling, were canceled. Train traffic was also affected, with dozens of streets blocked by demonstrators. Dockers and employees of the VW subsidiary Seat laid down the work as well as the staff of the supermarket chain Bonpreu. Also numerous lecture halls at the universities and many classrooms remained empty. In parts of the center of Barcelona, ​​streets were partially deserted. Shops were closed, hardly a car was on the way.

The actions are in response to rulings by the Supreme Court in Madrid, which on Monday found seven former top politicians of the breakaway region and two leaders of civil organizations of the uproar convicted. Because of their role in the illegal divorce referendum held in October 2017, they were sentenced to jail terms of up to 13 years. Since then, there have been massive protests in Catalonia from advocates of independence for the comparatively prosperous region in northeastern Spain.

Seperatist leader Puigdemont remains for the time being in freedom

The separatist chief, Carles Puigdemont, who is being called to arrest by Spain, will remain at liberty in Belgium for the time being. The ex-regional president contacted the police in Brussels after Spain issued a European arrest warrant. He objected to the allegations of the Spanish judiciary. The politician was initially arrested, but an investigating judge ordered the release on Friday afternoon under conditions. Puigdemont must return to the judge on 29 October.

The former separatist leader fled to Belgium in 2017. The Spanish justice accuses him of rioting and misappropriation of public money. An earlier request for extradition was not followed by the Belgian authorities. Puigdemont was arrested in Germany in 2018, but released after a few days' imprisonment. Later, the Schleswig-Holstein Higher Regional Court overturned the extradition order. On Monday, the Spanish judiciary had reactivated the international arrest warrant

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2019-10-18

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