Violent protests in Barcelona over Catalan independence

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-50098268

Fresh clashes between riot police and protesters have broken out in Barcelona amid anger over the jailing of Catalan separatist leaders.

A general strike was announced and five huge marches, all peaceful, converged on the city centre, bringing the streets to a standstill.

Police estimated that more than 500,000 people had joined Friday's rallies.

Protesters also blocked a motorway on the Spain-France border, causing huge tailbacks.

There were 17 arrests across the region on Friday, Spanish newspaper El País reported, and 62 people were injured - 41 of them in Barcelona.

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Wow... I was actually in Barcelona from 11th-13th October. This thing started on 14th October (with the jailing of several Catalan separatist leaders for 9-13 years), so I was very lucky to get out in time!!!

Anyway, I support the Catalan people's right to self-determination, and I hope they get the chance to have an official referendum on their status at some point in the near future.

@Kyng wrote:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-50098268

Fresh clashes between riot police and protesters have broken out in Barcelona amid anger over the jailing of Catalan separatist leaders.

A general strike was announced and five huge marches, all peaceful, converged on the city centre, bringing the streets to a standstill.

Police estimated that more than 500,000 people had joined Friday's rallies.

Protesters also blocked a motorway on the Spain-France border, causing huge tailbacks.

There were 17 arrests across the region on Friday, Spanish newspaper El País reported, and 62 people were injured - 41 of them in Barcelona.

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Wow... I was actually in Barcelona from 11th-13th October. This thing started on 14th October (with the jailing of several Catalan separatist leaders for 9-13 years), so I was very lucky to get out in time!!!

Anyway, I support the Catalan people's right to self-determination, and I hope they get the chance to have an official referendum on their status at some point in the near future.

Thank God you did get out of there when you did or this is one post for sure you wouldn't have made. I hope that these protests will bring about the change they desire.

Indeed. I would like to return to Barcelona one day, but understandably, I'm in no hurry to do it!

Sadly, I'm not sure what the chances of another referendum are - but, I really think this is something that Spain will need to confront at some point. The longer they leave it, the more resentment is going to build up.