Spain: Transportation disruptions due to protests in Barcelona area October 1 /update 1

Event

Ongoing traffic disruptions are being reported as of Monday, October 1, in the vicinity of Barcelona. Pro-separatist activists are blocking major roads leading to the city (e.g. the A7 and A2 highways), as well as the high-speed train railway line in Gerona. Roadblocks are also in place within the city. The Committee for the Defense of the Catalan Republic (CDR) had called for the protest on Sunday to mark the anniversary of Catalonia's self-determination referendum.

Context

Numerous protests have been planned in Barcelona around the anniversary the referendum. Clashes erupted between police and separatist protesters on September 29, when thousands of people staged demonstrations in Barcelona for Catalan independence.

Political tensions flared between the Spanish government and supporters of Catalan independence following Catalonia's controversial and unsanctioned independence referendum on October 1, 2017. The results, in which 90 percent of the votes were in favor of independence, were ruled unconstitutional and annulled by the central government in Madrid.

Advice

Individuals in Barcelona are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.