Yellow crosses to protest against 'the death of freedoms'

Unusual sightseeing today for those visiting popular Costa Brava locations such as Cadaqués and Port de la Selva. These iconic coastal towns woke up on Saturday morning with their beaches covered with over 3,000 yellow crosses, in a protest against "the death of freedoms" in Catalonia. Similar crosses could be found in Argelès, in French Catalonia.

One of the participants in the protest explained to Catalan News that their aim is to explain to visitors "the injustices currently happening in Catalonia." "It is a very visual way of showing it, especially considering that it is Easter," she added.

The yellow crosses, hand-made by local neighbors, had messages written on them, like "freedom', "justice" or "democracy". Some tourists visiting the towns were quite shocked. "It's a strong message, it's shocking, I like it," said Ida Andvad, a Norwegian living in Catalonia.

Nine Catalan leaders are currently imprisoned in Spain, and it's almost a week since deposed Catalan president Carles Puigdemont was detained in Germany. Seven other politicians are currently abroad, six of them fighting extradition to Spain from Belgium, Scotland and Switzerland.

They are being prosecuted by the Spanish Supreme Court for alleged crimes of violent rebellion, misuse of public funds and disobedience, and some face up to 40 years behind bars for their role in the October 1 referendum and the declaration of independence.  

While pro-independence parties in Catalonia argue that they are being "politically persecuted" and dennounce a "lack of separation of powers" in Spain, unionist forces and the Spanish government say that they are only being prosecuted for their actions against the Constitution and the unity of Spain, and state that the referendum was illegal and prompted "division" and "violence".