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Spain: In Barcelona, the anger of Catalan separatists
The verdict of the trial of former Catalan leaders was delivered Monday, October 14 in Barcelona: between nine and thirteen years in prison for the nine accused of sedition. In response to these heavy sentences, thousands of separatists have taken to the streets and even blocked the airport of the Catalan city.
With our correspondent in Barcelona, Élise Gazengel
The slogan was given on social networks at 1 pm Monday, when 25,000 people were already present in central Barcelona and cut several streets. All headed for the airport, and the police even ordered subway trains and trains to be suspended to avoid the invasion.
Many went there by walking 22 km, since access by road was completely cut. In total: 110 flights were canceled and hundreds of passengers could not arrive or even leave the terminal 1. Outside and until 22h, the Spanish and Catalan police have repeatedly charged against protesters who, between rage and sadness, wanted to show their rejection to these heavy convictions.
At the political level, this verdict rekindled tensions
Of course, in the separatist camp, all parties cried foul and political trial. The Catalan President Quim Torra has described this verdict as " an insult to democracy and contempt for Catalan society ". In addition, he announced that he had requested an " urgent meeting " to King Felipe VI and the President of the Government Pedro Sánchez, to " talk about the open crisis with this verdict ".
But the separatists were not the only parties to become indignant on Monday. The alternative left also criticized this decision of justice. As Ada Colau, Mayor of Barcelona, who described the verdict as " cruelty " and demanded that the institutions - including his own - work to find solutions and obtain the release of convicts.
What will happen in the coming days ?
The new independent and anonymous group called " Democratic Tsunami " called for new actions throughout the week. With 220,000 subscribers on encrypted Télégram messaging, he is responsible for the proposed blocking of the airport.
On Monday evening, the Tsunami launched its own mobile application that only the holders of a QR code - transmitted to " trusted people " - can use to know the next mobilizations. Two years after the referendum, Spain could live a new Catalan autumn.
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