Thousands in streets after Spanish military police arrests top officials over independence referendum

20.09.201711.15h

People protest arrest of Catalan government top officials. On left side, a protester holds an Estonian flag Author: David Forniès

Thousands of people are pouring in the streets of Barcelona and other Catalan cities and towns after the Guardia Civil —Spain's military police— has arrested 10 to 12 top officials of the Catalan government over preparations for an independence referendum, 1 October. The Spanish government holds that the vote is illegal and has vowed to stop it by all means.

The headquarters of the Catalan ministry of Economy is one of the places where protesters are gathering this morning. A photo gallery of the protest meeting there follows:

Pro-democracy banner / photo: D.F.

Traffic has been shut down close to the ministry's headquarters / photo: D. F.

People hold pro-democracy banner, pro-independence, Euopean flag. / Photo: David Forniès

Empaperem.cat website is offering citizens pro-referendum banners to be downloaded. This comes after Spanish authorities have been raiding printing houses in order to confiscate referendum print materials / Photo: D.F

Man holds a caged ballot box; sign reads "They want us silent and inside a cage" / Photo: D.F.

More people in Barcelona's Rambla de Catalunya street / Photo: D. F.