Eight Catalan teachers to appear in court over hate speech allegations

Schools in the northern Catalan town of La Seu d’Urgell are being investigated for allegedly promoting hate speech after professors discussed with students the October 1 referendum on independence and the Spanish police violent crackdown on voters. Eight teachers from three different schools are to appear in court on Tuesday.

According to complaints, professors opened the political discussion using a “pro-Catalan tone” and “against Spaniards.” The complaints were filed a week after the referendum. On October 6, the Public prosecutor opened an investigation.

Some 180 parents have signed a manifesto to show their disagreement with the accusations and in support of one of the schools.

Catalan schools have recently found themselves in the middle of political controversy following accusations of political bias from anti-independence politicians. Schools associations have repeatedly dismissed them as false.