Read in Catalan

Thousands of Catalans have taken to the streets at 7pm this Friday to gather in front of town and city halls. The call, issued by pro-independence organisations, was aimed at calling for the release of the members of the Catalan government and the organisations' presidents currently in preventive custody without bail.

These protests mark the start of the "week of freedom", during which ANC (Catalan National Assembly) and Òmnium want to hold a whole series of events, to culminate in a large demonstration on 11th November. In the middle, there will be a general strike, called by a number of unions and supported by the two entities.

In Barcelona, several thousands gathered around plaça Sant Jaume, in front of the Catalan government palace (on the very right of the below image) and Barcelona city hall (left).

Enviï|Mani Llibertat presos polítics 3N Sergi Alcàzar

Cartell mani presos politics Sergi Alcazar

Manifestació presos polítics Sergi Alcazar

Sergi Alcàzar

Plaça de la Vila in Badalona was also full.

In Girona, some 3,500 people again overflowed plaça del Vi.

In Tarragona, some 5,000 people gathered in plaça de la Font.

In Lleida, the demonstration took place in the plaça de la Paeria.

Mataró

Vilassar de Mar

Manifestació Vilassar Mar presos polítics SM

Vic

Terrassa

Sabadell

Cornellà de Llobregat