Catalan referendum: Anti-police strike hits public services

Crowds are thronging central barcelona and blocking roads across catalonia in a protest strike over police violence at some stage in the independence referendum.
There is little public shipping, after catalan change unions called the strike to reveal public anger at spanish police strategies in the course of sunday's disputed vote.
Extra than 50 roadblocks brought on massive traffic jams. Barcelona port turned into at a standstill, union resources said.
However, the city's el prat airport and its taxis are working usually.
Many small companies across catalonia have close for the day. Schools, universities and clinical offerings are also closed or working at a minimal degree.
Barcelona's metro traffic changed into cut to a 25% service during rush hour and no trains in any respect at different times.
Pinnacle visitor points of interest were additionally closed, inclusive of the city's famous sagrada familia church.
Roadblock on gran via in principal barcelona, 3 oct 17image copyrightreuters
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A roadblock on gran thru in central barcelona: the banner says "occupation forces get out!"
Mercabarna - barcelona's large wholesale marketplace - become left deserted as some 770 food companies closed for the day.
The strike became known as in protest at "the grave violation of rights and freedoms" visible for the duration of sunday's ballot . Nearly 900 people had been hurt as spanish police attempted to save you vote casting, in a referendum declared illegal through the madrid government.
Spanish top minister mariano rajoy said the vote made a "mockery" of democracy.


Media captionmany catalans have expressed surprise at the usage of violent approaches by using spanish police
A few police officers had been visible firing rubber bullets, storming into polling stations and pulling women by means of their hair.
Thirty-three police officers had been also injured in sunday's clashes, catalan medical officers stated.
But, greater than 2.2m people reportedly voted notwithstanding this. The catalan authorities says the vote in guide of independence changed into nearly 90%, however legit effects have not yet been launched.
Turnout was exceedingly low at a suggested forty two%, doubtlessly weakening the location of catalan president carles puigdemont.
Spain's largest crisis for a generation
The motives for the referendum
Barcelona anti-police roadblock, 3 oct 17image copyrightepa
Photograph caption
Protesters blocked a avenue out of doors a police station in barcelona
Barcelona metro, three oct 17image copyrightepa
Picture caption
Barcelona metro: a sign warns commuters that there might be minimum offerings
Mercabarna marketplace - shops shut, 3 oct 17image copyrightepa
Image caption
A huge barcelona wholesale marketplace - mercabarna - is paralysed by using the strike
On monday night the spain countrywide soccer crew deserted a training session after fanatics booed and whistled at defender gerard pique, who has strongly subsidized the catalan referendum.
Guardia civil police mingled a number of the crowd, as some lovers waved spanish flags and anti-pique placards.
He plays for fc barcelona, which announced that it had joined the strike. "none of the professional teams or the youth groups at fc barcelona will train the next day," the membership said on monday night.


Media captionbarcelona defender gerard pique changed into booed via spain fanatics
Catalan rage: separatism or populism?
Via europe editor katya adler
It would be incorrect to interpret the anger and pain so palpable in catalonia proper now as an expression of political solidarity. Catalans are as divided as ever on the query of independence.
What unites them nowadays is a seething fury and resentment on the heavy-handedness of the spanish government, represented with the aid of high minister mariano rajoy, with what catalans understand as his madrid-centric vanity, brutishness and brush aside for the rights of individuals.
That is a long way much less approximately separatism than populism. Anti-established order, nationalist sentiment a l.  A. Catalana.
Study more from katya: why catalan feelings are jogging high
In the meantime, political leaders are looking for a way ahead.
President puigdemont has said he needs a new understanding with the primary government in madrid, but the spanish government has warned it can suspend autonomy of the rich north-jap place.
How barcelona and madrid regarded the vote
The maximum powerful images of catalan clashes
Given the chaotic nature of the vote, the turnout and voting figures have to be concerned about a pinch of salt, says the bbc's tom burridge in barcelona.


Media captionriot police were seen using batons and kicking humans to dam voting
Prime minister rajoy held talks with pedro sánchez, leader of spain's primary competition socialist party, in addition to albert rivera, the head of the centrist ciudadanos celebration, past due on monday.
Even as the socialist leader urged mr rajoy to hold talks with the catalan president at once, mr rivera stated spain ought to invoke article 155 of the constitution, in impact postponing catalonia's self sustaining powers.
Mr puigdemont has called at the global community to help mediate among the 2 facets.
But, the eu fee described the crisis as "an internal count" for spain, that has to be handled in keeping with the constitutional order.