IN PICS: 'Freedom marchers' from across Catalonia converge on Barcelona
Barcelona came to a stand still on Friday as tens of thousands of "freedom marchers" converged on Barcelona for a mass show of dissent over the jailing of nine Catalan separatist leaders.
With the angry demonstrations entering their fifth day, activists blocked a string of roads in the wealthy northeastern region, cutting off the main cross-border highway with France.
Workers were also downing tools against Monday's Supreme Court verdict in which the separatist leaders were handed long jail terms over a banned referendum and an abortive independence declaration two years ago.
Massive march approaching Barcelona —and this is only one of several:#MarxesPerLaLlibertat #VagaGeneral #vaga18O #marxaperlallibertat #VagaGeneral180 #Llibertatpresospolitics pic.twitter.com/30Mys2x6c5
— Nationalia (@Nationalia) October 18, 2019
As well as the strike, tens of thousands of people streamed into Barcelona after a three-day march from five Catalan towns in a bid to cause chaos on the roads in a region that accounts for about a fifth of Spain's economic output.
They were due to gather for yet another massive demonstration -- expected to be the largest yet.
By early afternoon, thousands of striking students were marching through the city, waving signs reading: "We the people will not yield" and "Free the political prisoners".
? Impressionant !
Et ceci n'est qu'une seul des 5 manifestations convergent vers #Barcelona aujourd'hui !
Tout cela sans leader, juste le peuple catalans !#Catalunya #MarxesPerLaLlibertat #marxaperlallibertat #MarxesXLaLlibertat pic.twitter.com/74b8HrspGp
— Anonyme Citoyen (@AnonymeCitoyen) October 18, 2019
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"We have to push a bit more and we'll get what we want," said 18-year-old Miquel Flores, a nursing student, referring to a referendum on independence.
"The strength of the Catalan people is unstoppable."
The huge turnout came after yet another night of violent clashes, which Catalan regional interior minister Miquel Buch said involved "fewer incidents, but more violent".
"The criminal and violent behaviour we've seen in Barcelona is intolerable," he said, insisting such unrest had "nothing to do with the separatist claim".
And Barcelona city council said the first three days of clashes had cost an estimated €1,575,000 ($1,755,000) in damage, without taking into account Thursday's vandalism.
So far, more than 700 large wheelie bins have been torched, while mob violence had also damaged traffic lights, street signs, trees and the city's bike-share service, it said.
Incredibly friendly and festive feeling matching into Barcelona. Some neighbours cheering us on from their balconies ? #marxaperlallibertat pic.twitter.com/E9NBlb6nB4
— Tom Clarke ✊️ (@tombcn) October 18, 2019
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With the angry demonstrations entering their fifth day, activists blocked a string of roads in the wealthy northeastern region, cutting off the main cross-border highway with France.
Workers were also downing tools against Monday's Supreme Court verdict in which the separatist leaders were handed long jail terms over a banned referendum and an abortive independence declaration two years ago.
Massive march approaching Barcelona —and this is only one of several:#MarxesPerLaLlibertat #VagaGeneral #vaga18O #marxaperlallibertat #VagaGeneral180 #Llibertatpresospolitics pic.twitter.com/30Mys2x6c5
— Nationalia (@Nationalia) October 18, 2019
As well as the strike, tens of thousands of people streamed into Barcelona after a three-day march from five Catalan towns in a bid to cause chaos on the roads in a region that accounts for about a fifth of Spain's economic output.
They were due to gather for yet another massive demonstration -- expected to be the largest yet.
By early afternoon, thousands of striking students were marching through the city, waving signs reading: "We the people will not yield" and "Free the political prisoners".
? Impressionant !
— Anonyme Citoyen (@AnonymeCitoyen) October 18, 2019
Et ceci n'est qu'une seul des 5 manifestations convergent vers #Barcelona aujourd'hui !
Tout cela sans leader, juste le peuple catalans !#Catalunya #MarxesPerLaLlibertat #marxaperlallibertat #MarxesXLaLlibertat pic.twitter.com/74b8HrspGp
READ MORE:
- Protests: General strike shuts down Catalonia as 'freedom marchers' converge on Barcelona
- Catalan protests: How safe is it to visit Barcelona?
"We have to push a bit more and we'll get what we want," said 18-year-old Miquel Flores, a nursing student, referring to a referendum on independence.
"The strength of the Catalan people is unstoppable."
The huge turnout came after yet another night of violent clashes, which Catalan regional interior minister Miquel Buch said involved "fewer incidents, but more violent".
"The criminal and violent behaviour we've seen in Barcelona is intolerable," he said, insisting such unrest had "nothing to do with the separatist claim".
And Barcelona city council said the first three days of clashes had cost an estimated €1,575,000 ($1,755,000) in damage, without taking into account Thursday's vandalism.
So far, more than 700 large wheelie bins have been torched, while mob violence had also damaged traffic lights, street signs, trees and the city's bike-share service, it said.
Incredibly friendly and festive feeling matching into Barcelona. Some neighbours cheering us on from their balconies ? #marxaperlallibertat pic.twitter.com/E9NBlb6nB4
— Tom Clarke ✊️ (@tombcn) October 18, 2019
READ MORE:
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