Protests continue for tenth consecutive day after Catalan Trial sentence

Protests are continuing in Catalonia for the tenth straight day following the release of the verdict in Spain’s Supreme Court which handed lengthy prison sentences to Catalan independence leaders. 

Law classes at the University of Barcelona (UB) have been suspended following a student occupation of the faculty dean’s office. Some students claimed on social media that Catalan police identified some of them, but the Mossos d’Esquadra denied this in a statement, explaining they were brought to the site after being called about possible damages done to a bar in the building. 

Other students are picketing the entrances to more UB buildings, with the faculty of Geography, History and Philosophy being blocked since Tuesday. University sources also say no classes are being taught in Fine Arts and Education Sciences. 

Students also cut roads at Plaça Universitat, leading to Gran Vía being blocked. 

A protest group called Picnic Per La República (Picnic for the Republic), along with the Catalan National Assembly, called for people to gather at Barcelona cathedral earlier on Wednesday to protest against the head of Global Spain (España Global) to meet with consuls in the Catalan capital today. 

That meeting was cancelled due to the heavy rainfall, Global Spain say, but the protest organizers have claimed it as a victory of their own, saying the meeting was called off as a result of their protests. 

Other protests in Barcelona and around the country are also continuing today. A group of people demonstrated on Via Laietana again today, in front of the headquarters building of the Spanish police. 

In Manresa, protesters gathered at the front door of the tax office. In Reus, various protests were planned for Wednesday evening, calling for freedom for “political prisoners” and voicing anger against the political parties in favour of suspending Catalonia’s self-rule. 

Other gatherings have been called for by the Committees for the Defense of the Republic (CDR) in Sabadell, Girona, and various spots in Barcelona.