Spain: Potential for protests following controversial Supreme Court Catalonia ruling September 28

Event

Spain's Supreme Court upheld a ruling on Monday, September 28, banning Catalonia's regional head of government Quim Torra from public office for 18 months. The separatist leader has faced charges over his refusal to remove symbols relating to other exiled and detained Catalan leaders from local government buildings but has the right to appeal the ruling.

The US consulate general in Barcelona has since issued a demonstration alert, warning travelers of potential protests following the ruling. Demonstrations against the ban, and other central government measures, are likely to be held in Barcelona and other urban centers in the Catalonia region in the near term., with larger protests likely to cause significant localized disruptions. 

Advice

Those in Barcelona, and the Catalonia region more generally, are advised to monitor developments, anticipate localized traffic disruptions in the vicinity of any demonstrations, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.