Activists block roads, trains in Catalan strike

Protests held by pro-independence groups

Barcelona, Nov. 8: Protesters blocked roads and train lines across Catalonia on Wednesday during a strike called by a pro-independence group after several separatist leaders were detained in Madrid over their divisive secession drive.

More than 50 routes including major motorways were cut, causing widespread disruption in the region, which has been plunged into uncertainty over its now-deposed government’s bid to split from Spain. The crisis has shaken a European Union still getting to grips with Britain’s shock decision to leave and raised fears of social unrest and prolonged disruption to the eurozone’s fourth economy. Huge banners were draped across at least one

More than 50 routes, including major motorways, were cut

Activists also cut off main roads linking the region to France and Barcelona

Huge banners were draped across at least one tunnel in Barcelona

tunnel in Barcelona, blocking entry and activists also cut off main roads linking the region of 7.5 million people to France and to the Spanish capital.

“Warning. Big problems at the heart of the commuter train system due to an invasion of people and objects on the tracks,” Rodalies de Catalunya, which manages commuter trains in the region, said on Twitter. Lawmakers in Catalonia declared unilateral independence from Spain on October 27 following a banned referendum on the issue.

Regional authorities say 90 percent opted to break from Spain in the unregulated referendum, although less than half of eligible voters turned out in a region deeply divided on independence. Madrid responded by revoking Catalan autonomy, dismissing its government and parliament, and organising new regional elections next month as it tries to stem the fallout from Spain’s worst political crisis in decades.

— AFP