17 Oct 2019 | 08:58 AM UTC
Spain: Fresh protests scheduled in Catalonia October 17-27 /update 3
Independence supporters schedule additional protests October 17-27; avoid all protests
Event
Independence supporters in Catalonia have scheduled additional protests, from Thursday, October 17, through Sunday, October 27, amid clashes with police.
Students in the region are currently holding a 72-hour strike and will protests on October 17, starting at 12:00 (local time) in Barcelona at Plaça de la Universitat, in Tarragona at Plaça de la Imperial Tàrraco, and in Girona at Plaça del 1 de Octubre. Another protest is scheduled on October 18, at Barcelona's Plaça de la Universitat as of 12:00.
The Intersindical-CSC and the Intersindical Alternativa de Catalunya (IAC) unions have called a general strike for October 18, which will see several groups of marchers from five Catalan cities arrive in Barcelona to protest. Several protests are to be expected across all Catalan cities, prompting significant transportation disruptions and a heightened security presence throughout, though especially near protests in Barcelona.
On October 20, a protest is scheduled at the Plaza se Sant Jaume in Barcelona at 12:00.
Over 100 entities have scheduled a mobilization in Barcelona for October 26, to protest the Catalan leaders' sentencing. The time and location have yet to be announced.
On October 27, the Societat Civil Catalana (SCC) has called for a large mobilization to call an end to the legal proceedings against the independence activists.
A heightened security presence and lingering transportation disruptions are to be expected over the coming hours in Barcelona; associated demonstrations throughout the region may result in disruptions to transportation and business over the coming days. Clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out, particularly on October 18 and 26.
Context
Protests have been ongoing since October 1, to mark the two-year anniversary of a failed independence referendum scheduled in Catalonia in 2017. Several Catalan activists were put on trial for their involvement in the referendum, which Madrid deemed illegal. On October 14, the Supreme Court sentenced nine of them to between nine and 13 years in prison, prompting mass protests in Barcelona and other cities across Catalonia.
On October 15, protesters blocked several roads and highways and clashed violently with riot police. Six activists have been arrested, while 170 people - including 40 police officers - have been injured in the protests.
Advice
Individuals in Catalonia, notably in Barcelona, are advised to monitor developments, avoid all protests as a precaution, confirm their flight reservations, anticipate delays and cancelations, plan additional travel time, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.
