Jailed Catalan independence leaders call for peaceful protests on Friday

Catalan pro-independence leaders in prison have warned about the danger of falling for "provocations" on Friday, while defending the right to demonstrate peacefully on the streets.

With an extraordinary meeting of the Spanish cabinet due to be held in Barcelona on December 21, the nine political leaders in pre-trial detention published a letter calling on protesters not to damage “the victory of the democratic movement.”

Pro-independence organizations are preparing a number of demonstrations in protest against the Spanish government across Catalonia, including blocking highways.

"They want us to be violent, but they will not get that,” said the leaders in rejecting some unionist claims. Instead, the independence leaders insist the “strength” of the movement lies in its “civic and peaceful attitude.”

"We cannot allow anyone to ruin that with images we did not see on October 1,” they argue, in reference to the peaceful reaction of voters in the face of the violent tactics used by Spanish police in last year's independence referendum.

However, the letter from the jailed leaders also defends the right of Catalan citizens “to protest” whenever they deem it “proper,” and points out that demonstrations are “essential” for making progress on “inalienable rights” in any society.

"They want to see us furious, but they will find a smile instead,” they said.

The letter published a day before the protests is signed by Oriol Junqueras, Raül Romeva, Jordi Sànchez, Jordi Cuixart, Josep Rull, Jordi Turull, Joaquim Forn, Carme Forcadell and Dolors Bassa.