Protests in Catalonia: what’s going on?

A fresh wave of protests has swept through Catalonia in the latest episode of the conflict between the Spanish government and proponents of Catalonian independence. The protests were in response to the decision by Spain’s supreme court to sentence a group of separatist leaders to between nine and 13 years in prison after finding them guilty of sedition. The charges related to an illegal referendum in 2017, which resulted in an attempt to declare independence.

On Friday 18 October, half a million protesters took part in a march in Barcelona. Peaceful protesters called a general strike, five marches and blockades of the border between France and Spain. But there was also violence, with fires and millions of euros of damage to shops and street furniture. Hundreds of people were injured and over 100 people arrested.

The response of the Spanish government has itself provoked anger, viewed by many as typical of Madrid’s authoritarian attitude to the region. Since the recent protests began, police have used water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets. The Spanish government has refused to engage with the Catalonian president, Quim Torra, citing his insufficient condemnation of protester violence.

What has sparked the recent crisis? Why did the Spanish government take such a tough line, effectively provoking new rounds of protests? Is Spain in danger of unravelling? Would Catalan independence be a good thing or not – and what would be the consequences were it to happen? Does the independence movement and protests have anything common with other places, from Hong Kong to Scotland?