23 Mar 2018 | 03:42 PM UTC
Spain: Secessionist protests in several Catalan cities March 23
Pro-secession groups plan demonstrations in several Catalan cities, including Barcelona, March 23; heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions possible
Event
Pro-secession protesters are expected to hold several demonstrations in multiple Catalan cities on Friday, March 23. Demonstrations are planned in front of Spanish government delegation buildings in Tarragona, Lleida, and Girona beginning at 20:00 (local time).
Notably, in Barcelona, a protest march will begin from Plaça Catalunya and proceed along Carrer de Casp and Carrer Roger de Llúria before concluding at the Delegation of the Government of Spain in Catalonia building, where an associated rally will be held beginning at 21:00. A heightened security presence and localized transportation disruptions are possible near the demonstrations.
Context
The protests come after a Spanish judge summoned several Catalan leaders to appear at the Spanish Supreme Court on March 23 for their alleged roles in the October 2017 Catalan independence referendum. Those summoned may be remanded; among those summoned is Jordi Turull, a candidate for Catalan regional president who failed to win an absolute majority in the regional parliament on March 22. On March 23, a Spanish supreme court judge charged 13 Catalan leaders with rebellion, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years' imprisonment.
Spain was thrown into a constitutional and political crisis after Catalonia held an independence referendum, deemed illegal by the Spanish government and marred with 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, with 90 percent of whom voting 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. The central government also fired the Catalan government and dissolved the parliament.
Advice
Individuals in Catalonia are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.
