Spain: Catalonian independence activists to gather in multiple locations October 1

Event

Protesters are planning to gather on Thursday, October 1, in multiple locations to commemorate the 2017 Catalan Independence Referendum. The demonstrations have reportedly been organized by the Catalan National Assembly (ANC) and other entities and parties. Catalonian independence activists are expected to protest in town centers throughout Catalonia with planned demonstrations in the following locations (all times local):

• Barcelona: Demonstrators will gather at Placa de Sant Jaume at 20:00
• Girona: Demonstrators will gather at La Generalitat de Catalunya a Girona at 19:30
• Lleida: Demonstrators will gather at Placa de l'1 d'Octubre at 18:00
• Tarragona: Demonstrators will gather at Plaça de la Font at 19:30 

Additional associated demonstrations should be anticipated in urban centers throughout the region. Localized disruptions and a heightened security presence should also be expected around protest sites, and clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out.

Context

Spain was thrown into a constitutional and political crisis after Catalonia held an independence referendum, deemed illegal by the Spanish government and marred by violence, on October 1, 2017. Despite a 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 whom 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.

Advice

Those in Catalonia areas are advised to avoid protests as a precaution, monitor the situation, allow additional travel time, and heed any instructions issued by local authorities.