Dramatic photos of the protests in Catalonia

ByEmilie Richardson and Aicha El Hammar Castano
October 16, 2019, 3:07 PM

Violent protests have been underway in Catalonia after Spain's Supreme Court sentenced nine Catalan leaders to long prison sentences.

Police charge against demonstrators during clashes outside El Prat airport in Barcelona, Oct. 14, 2019.
Police charge against demonstrators during clashes outside El Prat airport in Barcelona, Oct. 14, 2019. Riot police have charged at protesters outside Barcelona's airport after the Supreme Court sentenced 12 prominent Catalan separatists to lengthy prison terms for their roles in a 2017 push for the wealthy Spanish region's independence.
Emilio Morenatti/AP

Many people in Catalonia have long sought independence from Spain to form a new European nation.

PHOTO: Policemen in riot gear move past a burning barricade during clashes with demonstrators in Barcelona, Oct. 15, 2019.
Policemen in riot gear move past a burning barricade during clashes with demonstrators in Barcelona, Oct. 15, 2019.
Emilio Morenatti/AP

The protests broke out into riots on Tuesday when over 40,000 people took to the streets.

Nine leaders of the Catalan independence movement were jailed on Monday for sedition over their role in a failed independence bid, sparking mass protests across the region, Oct. 14, 2019, in Barcelona.
Nine leaders of the Catalan independence movement were jailed on Monday for sedition over their role in a failed independence bid, sparking mass protests across the region, Oct. 14, 2019, in Barcelona.
Gian Marco Benedetto/Polaris
PHOTO: Demonstrators walk along a highway in Girona, Spain, Oct. 16, 2019.
Demonstrators walk along a highway in Girona, Spain, Oct. 16, 2019. Thousands of people have joined five large protest marches across Catalonia that are set to converge on Barcelona, as the restive region reels from two straight days of violent clashes between police and protesters.
Mar Grau/AP
Police officers clash with demonstrators outside El Prat airport in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Oct. 14, 2019.
Police officers clash with demonstrators outside El Prat airport in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Oct. 14, 2019.
Emilio Morenatti/AP
PHOTO:Nine leaders of the Catalan independence movement were jailed on Monday for sedition over their role in a failed independence bid, sparking mass protests across the region, Oct. 14, 2019, in Barcelona.
Nine leaders of the Catalan independence movement were jailed on Monday for sedition over their role in a failed independence bid, sparking mass protests across the region, Oct. 14, 2019, in Barcelona.
Gian Marco Benedetto/Polaris

Spain's government said it would do whatever it takes to stop the violence and issued the statement that it "will act, if needed, with firmness, proportionality and unity."

PHOTO: Police clash with demonstrators during a protest at El Prat airport, on the outskirts of Barcelona, Oct. 14, 2019.
Police clash with demonstrators during a protest at El Prat airport, on the outskirts of Barcelona, Oct. 14, 2019.
Bernat Armangue/AP
PHOTO: Demonstrators hold Catalan pro-independence "Estelada" flags as they march on the Nacional 2 road in Sils, near Girona, Oct. 16, 2019, a day after police arrested 51 people across Catalonia.
Demonstrators hold Catalan pro-independence "Estelada" flags as they march on the Nacional 2 road in Sils, near Girona, Oct. 16, 2019, a day after police arrested 51 people across Catalonia.
Pau Barrena/AFP via Getty Images

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