Violent clashes between Catalan riot police and pro-independence protesters in Barcelona

Tensions ran high in Barcelona on Thursday as Catalan police clashed with pro-independence protesters during a general strike to back the region’s secession from Spain amid the trial of 12 separatist political leaders for their part in a declaration of independence in 2017. Video captured Barcelona riot police hitting protests with batons during an eruption of violence in the streets. Activists protested from the streets to the subway, some setting fire to tires and trying to block highways across northeast