CATALONIA has been witnessing scenes reminiscent of the 2017 independence referendum, as Spanish police violently attacked protesters.
Pro-independence groups and unions have blocked roads in Catalonia in protest as Spain's Cabinet holds a meeting in Barcelona.
That meeting was held despite police warnings to the Spanish Government that it could cause trouble.
Security in Catalonia is normally in the hands of the Catalan police, but that has been reinforced with hundreds of anti-riot officers sent by Spain's national police forces.
Now, more and more video clips are emerging, showing anti-riot police attacking protesters.
En aquesta actuació policial es copeja al cap a una persona, i l'agent la continua copejant amb la porra i amb puntades mentre es troba en el sòl. És il·legal @interiorcat
— SomDefensores (@SomDefensores) December 21, 2018
Recordem el nostre ☎️ 693287323 davant violència policial‼️
pic.twitter.com/4ahiviBkLA
En aquesta càrrega policial diverses persones han estat ferides al cap segons ens informen observadors/es en terreny #NoMesCopsAlCap
— SomDefensores (@SomDefensores) December 21, 2018
pic.twitter.com/rInUWXKnlo
En aquesta càrrega es produeix una nova agressió al cap d'un manifestant‼️#NoMesCopsAlCap
— SomDefensores (@SomDefensores) December 21, 2018
Recordem el nostre ☎️ 693287323 davant violència policial pic.twitter.com/LqQ9ZZixlt
Peaceful Catalan protesters have tried to avoid violence, blocking others who had their faces covered from pulling down barricades.
Manifestants a cara descoberta increpen encaputxats que tiren contenidors a l'avinguda del Paral·lel de Barcelona. Després de fer-los fora, tornen a col·locar els contenidors a lloc https://t.co/kbKzKyrI5t #21DTV3 #21DCatRàdio pic.twitter.com/tUd2FL7dPt
— 324.cat (@324cat) December 21, 2018
Oriol Benet, a 24-year-old pharmacist who joined others marching near the headquarters of the National Police in Barcelon, said the meeting was "a provocation".
Carrying a banner calling for the release of nine jailed Catalan politicians and activists who face a rebellion trial, Carme Almarza said she did not trust the politicians' agreement.
"Not until I see the prisoners freed," the 52-year-old social worker said.
"Any chance to talk is good," said Carlos Castilla, watching from a distance as protesters launched smoke bombs.
"It is clear the status quo doesn't work, they agreed on that. I think the answer is more self-government and that Catalonia manages its own finances."
Sanchez has presented the meeting in Barcelona as "a way of showing affection to Catalonia".
Spanish television broadcast live Sanchez's walk from his hotel to the 14th-century Gothic palace in central Barcelona.
It was an attempt to display a sense of normalcy but instead showed the prime minister walking through empty streets heavily guarded by police.
Metres away, a crowd of protesters jeered: "Go away! Go away!"
Police charged to keep them at bay when they moved rubbish bins and tried to break the double security cordon shielding the meeting's venue.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel