Mass walkout in Catalonia after police violence during independence referendum
Metro stations close, main roads are blocked and civil servants walk out - some 300,000 people take to the streets in Barcelona.
Tuesday 3 October 2017 20:18, UK
Catalans are taking part in a general strike called after a police crackdown during Sunday's controversial independence referendum.
In Barcelona, metro stations were closed, main roads were blocked by pickets and civil servants walked out.
Around 300,000 people took to the streets of the regional capital in protest at Spain's response to the vote, which was deemed illegal by Madrid.
Across Catalonia, schools were shut, and traffic on highways was stopped, as workers and students joined the strike.
Almost 900 people were injured during clashes at the weekend when riot police tried to stop people voting at polling stations.
Images of armed officers using batons and rubber bullets on peaceful voters were widely condemned.
Many services under the control of the Catalan government saw some disruption on Tuesday, with public transport reportedly running at around 40%.
And entrances to some government offices were blocked by pro-independence crowds.
In the town of Vic, a bastion of independence, every shop, bar and cafe was closed.
But the country's two largest unions did not take part in the action.
The unions have called for dialogue between the two governments, criticising both the call for independence and the heavy-handed police tactics.
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The referendum in the country's wealthiest region went ahead despite being banned by a Spanish constitutional court, with .
However, only around four in 10 of Catalonia's population voted, with many anti-separatists apparently choosing to stay at home.
Catalan leaders are mulling a possible declaration of independence this week following the poll.
, which also said the referendum was not legal under the country's constitution, has called for talks to break the stalemate between the Madrid and Catalan governments.
Meanwhile, Barcelona player Gerard Pique, who supported the independence vote, has said he could quit the national team if insults by Spain fans continue.
The side is preparing for two World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Israel.
The Catalan defender has already announced he will retire from international duty after the 2018 World Cup in Russia, having grown tired of being criticised.