Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Catalonia over the last 48 hours, in protest at the Spanish state sentencing nine pro-independence leaders to a collective 100 years in prison. Their ‘crime’ was to take part in organising the 2017 Catalan independence referendum.
Protesters mobilised across Catalonia as the verdict was announced, where they were met by hundreds of extra police sent by Madrid. Thousands occupied Barcelona’s El Prat airport, the Spanish Police reacting to this by brutally baton charging the crowd, injuring dozens.
Motorways, railways and city streets have been blocked, with some barricades being set on fire in Barcelona, Tarragona, Girona, Lleida and other urban centres. The response of the Spanish police to these protests has been typically disproportionate and heavy-handed with dozens of protesters injured and arrested across Catalonia.
The nine sentenced were accused of sedition and misuse of public funds by the Madrid government for their part in organising and taking part in the 2017 Catalan independence referendum, and the subsequent declaration of independence.
All were sentenced to between nine and thirteen years in prison, with Oriol Junqueras, the former Vice-President of Catalonia and the highest-ranking pro-independence leader on trial, getting the longest sentence of thirteen years.
All were acquitted of the most serious charge of rebellion, which carries a potential 25-year sentence.
Oriol Junqueras was sentenced to thirteen years in jail for his part in organising a peaceful referendum
The Spanish Supreme Court has also issued a European arrest warrant for former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont who is living in exile.
Further protests are expected, with a march on Barcelona from five surrounding towns taking place on Friday, to coincide with a general strike in the city.
Éirígí For A New Republic condemns the sentences handed down to the Catalonian leaders and the wider attempt by the Spanish state to criminalise the Catalonian independence movement. As Thatcher failed to criminalise the Irish freedom struggle, the Spanish state will fail in Catalonia.
We further offer our solidarity to the Catalonian people as they enter a new and uncharted phase in their struggle for freedom. Your struggle is our struggle. Together our small nations will overcome adversity and all efforts to stifle our independence.