Catalan protesters storm Spain highway, snarling traffic and burning barricades

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Hundreds of Catalan separatist protesters used tree limbs and metal guard rails to construct a series of barricades on a major highway in northeastern Spain on Wednesday, snarling traffic for hours.

The demonstrators – angered by the recent imprisonment of nine pro-independence politicians and activists as well as the recent national election in Spain – gathered at the AP-7 highway near the city of Girona on Tuesday night.

National police disperse pro-independence demonstrators blocking a major highway near Girona, Spain, Wednesday, Nov.13, 2019. Hundreds of car and truck drivers were stuck Wednesday in a large traffic jam in northeastern Spain caused by Catalan separatists blocking a major highway near the city of Girona. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Police in riot gear arrived at the scene several hours later while protesters initially retreated — but not before they set fire to some of the barricades.

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Hundreds of cars and trucks remained trapped in the traffic jam on Wednesday.

Catalan pro-independence demonstrators spend the night blocking a major highway near Girona, Spain, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

The regional civilian protection authority said emergency services distributed water, food and blankets to drivers and passengers who had been trapped during the night. It said at least 84 people were taken by bus to a nearby sports center to rest for a few hours.

The protests follow a major demonstration at a border crossing between Spain and France on Tuesday.

Catalan police officers disperse pro-independence demonstrators blocking a major highway near Girona, Spain, Wednesday, Nov.13, 2019. Hundreds of car and truck drivers were stuck Wednesday in a large traffic jam in northeastern Spain caused by Catalan separatists blocking a major highway near the city of Girona. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu)

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Pro-Catalan independence protesters blocked the La Jonquera crossing for more than 24 hours, which resulted in minor scuffles with police.

French police detained 18 protesters and used pepper spray and batons to push back demonstrators. They then began towing away vehicles and debris before reopening the crossing hours later.

French police officers remove pro-Catalan independence demonstrators blocking a major highway border pass near La Jonquera between Spain and France, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019. Protesters following a call to action by a secretive pro-Catalan independence group have closed off both sides of the AP7 highway at the major transportation hub of La Jonquera between France and Spain. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu)

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The two demonstrations are part of a planned three-day protest that started Monday. It was organized by a clandestine activist group called Tsunami Democratic, which has staged many protests, some violent, since a dozen Catalan separatist leaders were convicted last month for their role in a 2017 push to make Catalonia independent from Spain.