Protesters clash with Spanish police
Spanish police clashed with Catalan separatists in Barcelona yesterday as the one year anniversary of the banned independence referendum gets closer. Protesters had gathered for a counter-protest as police supporters held a demo calling for better pay for officers in the city. Police armed with riot shields and batons clashed with the separatist protesters. Spanish media said police arrested at least one demonstrator.
Many independence protesters camped out in a nearby square overnight, with the rival groups of marchers kept several hundred metres away from each other by police.
Separatists threw paint at police, covering anti-riot shields, police vans and the pavement of a city centre square in bright colours.
The protesters also threw projectiles at police.
Tensions are running high in the north-eastern region.