Barcelona's streets were ablaze Wednesday night, as police and protesters clashed after thousands turned out for a third day to rally for independence from Spain, Reuters reports.
The big picture: Peaceful protests against Spain’s Supreme Court sentencing of 9 Catalan separatist leaders this week to 9–13 years in prison for charges including sedition erupted into violence, with reports of riot police firing tear gas and activists throwing petrol bombs and torching cars, per the Guardian.
A car ablaze on Barcelona's streets. Reuters reports that "police charged at protesters and fired foam projectiles" in some places. Photo: Pau Venteo/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Riot police fire rubber bullets at the protesters. Photo by Lluis Gene/AFP via Getty Images
Fires are lit in the street amid clashes with police. Photo: Andrea Baldo/LightRocket via Getty Images
A barricade is set alight in a Barcelona street. Photo: Robert Marquardt/Getty Images
A peaceful march in Barcelona protesting police arresting 51 people across Catalonia over Tuesday night over the pro-independence protests. Photo: Carles Palacio/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The BBC reports riot police in Barcelona fired tear gas at protesters, who tried to storm Spanish government offices on Tuesday. Photo: Pau Barrena/AFP via Getty Images
Protesters try to remove barriers during a rally in Barcelona. Protests also took place in the Catalan cities of Tarragona and Girona. Photo: Pau Barrena/AFP via Getty Images
Protesters film a fire outside the Spanish Government Delegation in Barcelona. Photo: Lluis Gene/AFP via Getty Images
A candle-lit vigil for the imprisoned Catalan separatists in Mallorca Street near the Spanish Government Delegation in Barcelona. Photo: Alex Caparros/Getty Images
A protester shouts during a rally in Barcelona. Photo: Pau Barrena/AFP via Getty Images
Protesters carrying a Catalan pro-independence "Estelada" flag through Barcelona's streets. Photo: Pau Barrena/AFP via Getty Images
Protesters burn garbage containers a day after thousands of pro-independence activists clashed with police at Barcelona's main airport, El Prat. Photo: Lluis Gene/AFP via Getty Images
Spanish police and protesters clash outside El Prat airport in Barcelona, which protesters stormed on Monday, per the BBC. Photo: Pau Barrena/AFP via Getty Images
Go deeper: Anger in Catalonia over harsh sentences for separtists
Editor's note: This article has been updated with the latest protest developments and more photos.
