Hundreds of Catalan separatists marched on Wednesday in central Barcelona cutting-off traffic and demonstrating in front of the headquarters of the pro-union center-right Ciudadanos party and the conservative People’s Party as they called for the release of jailed secessionist leaders and for Catalan independence.

The pro-independence group CDR (Committee for the Defence of the Republic) organised the protest calling for a “chestnut roast against Spain.”

Some protesters were seen throwing chestnuts in the direction of the PP party building but the protest remained peaceful as police in riot gear looked as they guarded the party headquarters of Ciudadanos and the PP.

Barcelona has witnessed a series of pro-secession protests since October 14 when Spain’s Supreme Court sentenced nine politicians and activists to up to 13 years in jail for their role in a failed independence bid in 2017 prompting widespread anger in the region and sending shockwaves through Spain’s political landscape as the country head to a general election on November 10.

(Source: Reuters)