Thousands of protesters gathered at Placa de la Catedral, Barcelona, on Wednesday as part of a region-wide strike calling for the release of jailed Catalan leaders.

Demonstrators met at the Placa de la Catedral, where they shouted “freedom for political prisoners” and “independence for Catalonia,” while holding banners and waving Estalada flags.

Leader of the Nacional Council of Catalan Youth Georgina Lazaro was among the speakers calling for Spain “to stop repression against our citizens, our institutions and their representatives.”

The general strike was called after Spain voted to approve Article 155 of the Constitution and imposed direct rule over Catalonia.

Source: Presstv