<p>Hundreds of pro-independence Catalonian protesters gathered on the AP-7 highway, a major traffic link between Spain and France, which could cost the Spanish economy 15 million euros on a daily basis, reports the Spanish Confederation of Goods Transport. </p>
<p>According to the Spanish Confederation of Goods Transport, spokesperson, Dulse Diaz, approximately said 20,000 trucks cross the border at La Jonquera every day in both directions. Following this protest, they have been diverted into smaller roads whilst protesters set up concrete barriers as well as stages for concerts.</p>
<p>This protest follows Spain’s recent parliamentary elections and civil unrest caused by the imprisonment of Catalonian separatist leaders who staged an illegal independence referendum in 2017. In the recent elections, the Spanish socialist party was able to claim victory but there was a significant surge in the far-right with the far-right party Vox, becoming the third-largest party in parliament. Santiago Abascal, the leader of Vox, criticised the protest calling the road blockage “unacceptable”.</p>
<p>During this protest, there was a heavy presence of Catalan regional police as well as French local police.</p>
<p>Read Reuters <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-politics-catalonia/catalan-ind…">here</a>.</p>
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