Dramatic photos of the protests in Catalonia
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.](https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/catalonia-4-ap-er-191016_hpEmbed_3x2_992.jpg)
Emilio Morenatti/AP
Many people in Catalonia have long sought independence from Spain to form a new European nation.
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/catalonia-3-ap-er-191016_hpEmbed_3x2_992.jpg)
Emilio Morenatti/AP
The protests broke out into riots on Tuesday when over 40,000 people took to the streets.
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/catalonia-6-pol-er-191016_hpEmbed_3x2_992.jpg)
Gian Marco Benedetto/Polaris
![PHOTO: Demonstrators walk along a highway in Girona, Spain, Oct. 16, 2019.](https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/catalonia-2-ap-er-191016_hpEmbed_3x2_992.jpg)
Mar Grau/AP
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/catalan-protester-mo_hpEmbed_20191014-184022_2_3x2_992.jpg)
Emilio Morenatti/AP
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/catalonia-7-pol-er-191016_hpEmbed_3x2_992.jpg)
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."
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/catalonia-5-ap-er-191016_hpEmbed_3x2_992.jpg)
Bernat Armangue/AP
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Pau Barrena/AFP via Getty Images