A general strike Spain's region Catalonia Tuesday brought large parts Barcelona and other cities to a standstill. Thousands Catalans rallied and blocked roads to protest Spanish police violence Sunday's independence referendum. Nearly 900 people were injured the weekend in a crackdown voters and referendum staff. The Spanish government declared that the referendum was illegal and ordered the police to break it . Spain's King Felipe VI has condemned the organizers the referendum. In a televised address to the nation, he said they had put themselves " the law". He said the situation in Catalonia was "extremely serious" and called national unity.
The mayor of Barcelona told reporters that the Catalan people deserved to have a vote independence. She said: "What we need is a democratic response. And we need a political solution. And we need an inclusive solution that listens to the cries millions of people." She also called for the resignation Spain's prime minister. More unrest could be the cards. Any declaration independence the Catalans could plunge Spain a further constitutional crisis and risk the break- of the country. Other regions could follow Catalonia's example and have their own referendum. Spain's president has called on the international community to help mediate the two sides.
