Almost 200,000 people marched in Barcelona on Saturday 16 February , in protest against the trial of 12 Catalan separatist leaders . The leaders face prosecution for their roles in October 2017 's independence referendum , considered illegal , and the unilateral declaration of independence which followed . Spain 's Civil Guard said around 200,000 people marched , the most since September 2017 , while the demonstration 's organizers said participants numbered 500,000 . The march was led by Catalan leaders and left - wing politicians , with the slogan " self - determination is not a crime " . Other marches and strikes are planned . The march comes ahead of Spain 's snap general election on 28 April .
Almost 200,000 people marched in Barcelona on Saturday 16 February, in protest against the trial of 12 Catalan separatist leaders. The leaders face charges for their roles in October 2017's independence referendum, considered illegal, and the unilateral declaration of independence which followed. Spain's Civil Guard said around 200,000 protesters marched, the most since September 2018, while the demonstration's organisers said participants numbered 500,000. The march was led by Catalan leaders and left-wing politicians, with the slogan "self-determination is not a crime". Other marches and strikes are planned. The trial comes ahead of Spain's snap general election on 28 April.