- Tweeter
republish
In Spain, the Supreme Court's decision to sentence 9 separatist leaders to 9 to 13 years in prison continues to provoke angry demonstrations. The sixth night of consecutive mobilization takes place this Saturday, October 19 in Barcelona.
The separatists say they are very determined against " a repressive state and whose justice would be biased against the will of the Catalan people ," according to their statement. In Barcelona's Urquinaona Square, near the famous Ramblas and the headquarters of the National Police, the tension is very palpable, reports our correspondent in Barcelona, François Musseau .
"We do not move forward"
The day before, a real battle broke out between protesters. Among them, young radicals and opposite the police, anti-riot squads armed to the teeth, batons, shields and weapons firing rubber bullets.
The separatists they intend to stay on the spot, the time it will take to show their determination. All speak of the very severe verdict against the nine secessionist leaders.
" There are plenty of people on the street who are not especially separatists. They came for justice, because of the unfair verdict, seeing that Spain is flouting freedoms, "says Laura, a law student.
All here are convinced that Spain is not a true democracy, that the rights of the Catalans are trampled and that the right to self-determination is not taken into account and never will be. Here, there is anger against police violence charging journalists or ordinary protesters. They talk about dozens of wounded. But many are aware that violence also comes from separatist ranks.
" It's a blockage. We do not move forward. Some only respond with police brutality, and others defend themselves by fueling the scuffles. In short, this is not going anywhere , "said Oriol, a young computer specialist who came from Mataro, about thirty kilometers from Barcelona.
All Catalans fear the escalation of violence, be they separatist, Spanish or indifferent. And all are wondering how long will hostilities last.