Catalonia's President Kim Tora said on Monday that a second referendum should be held for independence from Spain. The separatists continued protests in several cities and clashed with police in Barcelona, while the central government in Madrid pledged to resolve the situation in an appropriate manner.
The president stressed that violence should not be attached to the protests, and pledged to organize a second referendum in which voters decide if they prefer to stay with Spain or secede from it.
The protests turned into riots last night, with clashes between police and protesters, who set fire to barriers set up to contain the crowds.
A mass demonstration in Barcelona on Friday is expected to coincide with a general strike and demonstrations across Catalonia at the invitation of supporters of independence and local trade unions.
On Wednesday, thousands of protesters marched on highways in five Catalan towns towards Barcelona.
Police said at least 20 people were arrested in the area in connection with violence committed during the ongoing demonstrations.
More than 50 people were reportedly arrested and 125 injured, including two policemen, during demonstrations on Tuesday night.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez held emergency talks with opposition leaders on Wednesday to "discuss violent separatist protests".
| Demonstrations renewed in response to court ruling separatist leaders jailed (Reuters) |
Ensure security
Sanchez condemned the violence, saying the government would continue to "ensure security" in the region and vowed to resolve "in the appropriate way."
It is noteworthy that the protests came in response to the Supreme Court in Spain issued judgments
Nine separatist leaders were jailed for between nine and 13 years.
The verdicts came more than two years after a referendum in which most of the participants chose to secede from Spain, which was aborted by the central government in Madrid;
From Belgium, separatist leader Karlis Bogdimon encouraged continued mobilization in the "democratic tsunami".
"What is important here is to see these people reject the verdicts," Tora said while participating in a separatist march. "It's amazing to see people crowding."