Clashes in Barcelona on anniversary of Spanish region’s referendum
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Catalan separatists clashed with police on Saturday in downtown Barcelona, with two arrests being made, as tensions increase before the anniversary of the Spanish region’s referendum on secession that ended in violent raids by security forces.
The clashes erupted after local Catalan police intervened to form a barrier when a separatist threw purple paint on a man who was part of another march of people in support of Spanish police demanding a pay raise. Officers used batons to push back the oncoming separatists and keep apart the opposing groups.
The Catalan police told The Associated Press that both people were arrested on charges of aggressions against police officers.
There were more confrontations between separatists and local police as the separatists tried to invade Barcelona’s main city square where 3,000 people supporting Spanish police had ended their march.
Separatists shouted “get out of here fascists!” and cried for “independence!” at the Spanish police supporters, who responded by shouting “we will be victorious” and “our cause is just!” Barcelona mayor Ada Colau issued a plea for peace when the first scuffles broke out.
