Barcelona has faced days of unrest after the Spanish Supreme Court on Monday gave long prison sentences to nine Catalan separatist leaders for their roles in a 2017 independence effort.
Nine activists were found guilty of sedition and given prison sentences of nine to 13 years, according to The Associated Press. Four were also convicted of misusing public funds.
The AP reported Wednesday that more than 200 people, including police, have been injured in protests and that 29 people were arrested Tuesday.
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Demonstrators in downtown Barcelona reportedly tossed up hundreds of toilet paper rolls because “there is a lot that needs cleaning up.”
According to the wire service, thousands participated in marches across the Catalonia region that came together Friday in Barcelona.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Wednesday that the government would respond with “firmness, calmness and unity,” according to the AP.
He blamed the riots on “organized groups of extremists” but said the government would not participate in an “ascending spiral of violence.”
Many people in Catalonia, where Barcelona is located, want the region to separate from Spain and become its own country. This is largely opposed by the Spanish government.