Thousands gather in protests across Catalonia on imprisonment anniversary

Protests to demand the release of pro-independence grassroots leaders Jordi Sànchez and Jordi Cuixart took place all over Catalonia on Tuesday, October 16. Demonstrators gathered in Barcelona, in Cuixart's hometown Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, outside the Lledoners prison, and more.

The demonstrations were called by the organizations that the two activists headed at the time of their detainment (Sànchez has since stepped down) - the Catalan National Assembly (ANC) and Òmnium Cultural.

In Barcelona, many a recurring symbol was seen as in those over the past year: yellow clothes and ribbons in solidarity with jailed leaders - nine in total - as well as others who are currently exiled abroad, most for their role in the run-up to and declaration of independence in Catalonia. Cuixart and Sànchez, though, were the first - and they have been in jail since.

Participants chanted slogans like “us volem a casa,” or, “we want you back home,” and “llibertat presos politics,” meaning “freedom to political prisoners.” A new chant was also heard: “unitat,” or “unity.”

In fact, Cuixart recently urged this very sentiment from pro-independence parties, who have recently come at odds in the parliament over how to deal with a suspension of their MPs - in prison or abroad - from Spanish Courts.