Spain: Independence supporters rally in Barcelona Nov. 8 /update 32

Event

Thousands of pro-independence supporters gathered in Barcelona on Wednesday, November 8, after Spain’s Constitutional Court officially annulled the October 1 referendum. According to media reports, all major roads into the city have been blocked and public transport is running on minimum services. People are also rallying at Plaça Sant Jaume. Additional demonstrations are planned to take place at 19:00 (local time) in Barcelona and other cities around Catalonia.

Earlier in the day, Catalan labor unions started a general strike across Catalonia. Protesters erected human roadblocks on major roads and organized sit-ins at train stations. At least 35 roads were blocked, causing major traffic congestion, and regional trains have been experiencing delays and cancelations. In Girona, a sit-in blocked all access to the railway platforms, preventing all trains from departing and arriving.

Increased security measures and significant transportation delays are likely to continue in the region; residual train delays are to be expected even once normal services resume. Additional protests are likely in the coming days.

Context

Spain was thrown into a constitutional and political crisis after Catalonia held an independence referendum, deemed illegal by the Spanish government, on October 1. Despite the series of logistical and judicial obstacles enacted by the central government to prevent the vote, 42 percent of the Catalan population participated in the referendum, 90 percent of which voted in favor of independence. Madrid officially suspended the region’s autonomy on October 27 - just moments after the Catalan Parliament unilaterally declared independence - and implemented direct central rule.

Although the increasingly precarious work environment and impoverishment of the working class are the official motives for the strike, the ongoing constitutional crisis and notably the imposition of direct central rule on Catalonia are also major issues.

Advice

Individuals in Catalonia are advised to keep abreast of the situation, confirm travel itineraries, and avoid all demonstrations as a precaution.