"Let's occupy the Parliament". This was the call from hundreds of Catalan independence supporters this evening. After the demonstration in commemoration of the anniversary of last year's referendum, some of the protesters tried to enter the Catalan chamber.
The Mossos d'Esquadra, the Catalan police, had deployed large numbers of officers to supervise the rally, and some tense scenes had been seen. Around 10pm local time, however, demonstrators had reached right up to the doors of the building. Some officers closed themselves inside, others retreated. Minutes later, however, officers were back, with vans in support, dispersing protesters and clearing the way for their colleagues inside to leave.
During the earlier demonstration shouts had been heard criticising the failure to implement the republic and calling for the resignation of interior minister Miquel Buch and president Quim Torra.