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Barcelona cathedral: Catalonia protests shut down Sagrada Familia Catalonia protests shut down Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona
(32 minutes later)
Barcelona's Sagrada Familia cathedral - one of the city's main tourist attractions - has shut down because of protesters blocking its entrance. Barcelona's Sagrada Familia church - one of the city's main tourist attractions - has shut down because of protesters blocking its entrance.
Protests, which are now entering their fifth day, and a general strike have brought the Spanish city to a halt.Protests, which are now entering their fifth day, and a general strike have brought the Spanish city to a halt.
Trains are stopped and roads blocked by protesters angered by jail sentences imposed on Catalan separatist leaders.Trains are stopped and roads blocked by protesters angered by jail sentences imposed on Catalan separatist leaders.
The Barcelona and Real Madrid football teams have postponed a match they were due to play on 26 October.The Barcelona and Real Madrid football teams have postponed a match they were due to play on 26 October.
The famous rivals had been set to meet in El Clásico, a hugely popular clash held at Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium.The famous rivals had been set to meet in El Clásico, a hugely popular clash held at Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium.
On its official Twitter account, the cathedral says a group of protesters was standing at the entrance and access to the premise could not be guaranteed. On its official Twitter account, the church says a group of protesters was standing at the entrance and access to the premise could not be guaranteed.
A big demonstration is under way outside the city's university, with hundreds of thousands of other protesters from across the Catalonia region due to converge on Barcelona later in the day.A big demonstration is under way outside the city's university, with hundreds of thousands of other protesters from across the Catalonia region due to converge on Barcelona later in the day.
Protesters have blocked at least 20 major roads, including the main cross-border motorway with France, by sitting down on the carriageways.Protesters have blocked at least 20 major roads, including the main cross-border motorway with France, by sitting down on the carriageways.
At least 96 people have been hurt as the protests spread across Spain's north-eastern region.At least 96 people have been hurt as the protests spread across Spain's north-eastern region.
On Wednesday, barricades were set alight and petrol bombs thrown as riots gripped the centre of Barcelona.On Wednesday, barricades were set alight and petrol bombs thrown as riots gripped the centre of Barcelona.
Why are people protesting?Why are people protesting?
The protests began after nine pro-independence leaders were jailed for between nine and 13 years by Spain's Supreme Court earlier this week.The protests began after nine pro-independence leaders were jailed for between nine and 13 years by Spain's Supreme Court earlier this week.
The separatists were convicted of sedition over their role in an independence referendum in 2017 which was outlawed by the Spanish courts.The separatists were convicted of sedition over their role in an independence referendum in 2017 which was outlawed by the Spanish courts.
Another three were found guilty of disobedience and fined but not jailed. All 12 defendants denied the charges.Another three were found guilty of disobedience and fined but not jailed. All 12 defendants denied the charges.
Former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont is still wanted by the Spanish authorities for his role in the referendum.Former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont is still wanted by the Spanish authorities for his role in the referendum.
He currently resides in Belgium. If he returns to Spain, he will be arrested.He currently resides in Belgium. If he returns to Spain, he will be arrested.
What is behind the Catalonia unrest?What is behind the Catalonia unrest?
Catalan nationalists have long complained that their region, which has a distinct history dating back almost 1,000 years, sends too much money to poorer parts of Spain via taxes which are controlled by Madrid.Catalan nationalists have long complained that their region, which has a distinct history dating back almost 1,000 years, sends too much money to poorer parts of Spain via taxes which are controlled by Madrid.
The wealthy region is home to about 7.5 million people, with their own language, parliament, flag and anthem.The wealthy region is home to about 7.5 million people, with their own language, parliament, flag and anthem.
In September, a march in Barcelona in support of Catalonia's independence from Spain drew crowds of about 600,000 people - one of the lowest turnouts in the eight-year history of the annual rally.In September, a march in Barcelona in support of Catalonia's independence from Spain drew crowds of about 600,000 people - one of the lowest turnouts in the eight-year history of the annual rally.