18 Sep 2018 | 02:16 AM UTC
Spain: Pro-independence rally in Barcelona September 20 /update 2
A pro-Catalonia independence rally will be held in Barcelona on September 20; heightened security presence expected
Event
A pro-independence rally will be held in Barcelona on Thursday, September 20. The National Assembly of Catalonia (ANC) and Omnium Cultural groups are organizing the event, which will be on the first anniversary of the arrest of ANC and Omnium presidents following last year's independence referendum. Protests will begin at 19:30 (local time) at the intersection of Gran Via and Rambla de Cataluña. A heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are likely.
Context
The September 20 rally follows a large pro-separatist march on September 11 with around 1 million supporters in attendance, according to local police. Tensions in Barcelona have been high since a controversial and unsanctioned independence referendum held on October 1, 2017, in which 90 percent of votes cast were in support of independence. The results were ruled unconstitutional and annulled by the central government in Madrid.
Advice
Individuals in Barcelona are advised to avoid all public gatherings as a precaution, anticipate heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.
