Spain: Pro-independence events in Catalonia October 1 /update 3

Event

Various pro-independence groups are organizing events on Monday, October 1, in the Catalonia region to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the independence referendum. In Barcelona, university students will march from Placa de la Universitat towards Placa de Sant Jaume beginning at 12:00 (local time). At 16:30, a rally will be held outside the Catalonia Parliament building. Associated demonstrations are also expected to take place in urban areas throughout the region. A heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are anticipated around all commemorative events.

Context

The National Assembly of Catalonia (ANC) and Omnium Cultural groups organized a rally in Barcelona on September 20 to mark the one-year anniversary of the arrest of their presidents. On September 11, over 1 million people participate in a pro-independence march in the city. 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, and the Catalonia region more generally, 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.