Roadblocks by demonstrators caused headaches for drivers in Barcelona on Wednesday as pro-independence groups and the CSC union called a general strike in Catalonia to protest the imprisonment of members of Catalonia’s former leader Carles Puigdemont’s government and the precarious labour situation respectively.
Traffic jams due to roadblocks were visible on highways leading to the restive region’s capital, and security continued to be tight outside central government headquarters in the city.
The biggest labour unions, CCOO and UGT, said they did not support the strike because they say the protest is not directly linked to labour issues, but they will mark discontent with the political situation by staging protests outside workplaces.
Pro-independence civil organizations ANC and Omnium, and students are expected to stage protests throughout the day.
Metro and bus services were running at 50% of capacity in Barcelona and shops were open for business.
