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Hundreds of people demonstrated this Wednesday against the presence of four members of the Spanish monarchy in the Catalan town of Caldes de Malavella, just south of Girona. The protest, organized by the Anti-Monarchical Coordinator for the Girona counties, headed towards the Hotel Camiral in the spa town of Caldes, where the awards ceremony for the Princess of Girona Foundation, presided over by Spain's royal family, was taking place. With a banner at the front of the march reading 'Monarchy, out. Long live the land', the pro-independence demonstrators split into two different groups. One of these groups advanced along the road, until a cordon of the Mossos d'Esquadra blocked their way, preventing the demonstrators from approaching the hotel where the award ceremony was being held. As for the other group, they went cross-country into the forest to find other ways to reach the area, pursued by police officers, a situation that generated moments of tension and some sprinting.

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Protesters evade the Mossos d'Esquadra police. Photo: Xavi Hurtado

The Coordinator group is made up of twenty organizations, unions and political parties, including ERC, Junts, the CUP, Òmnium Cultural and the ANC, and the umbrella organization called this protest against king Felipe's visit to Caldes de Malavella​ accompanied by queen Letizia, and the princesses Leonor and Sofia. The aim of the mobilization was to stage "a great political confrontation" against the crown and demonstrate that "Catalonia has no king".

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The protesters blocked traffic on the A-2 to make their point. Photo: Xavi Hurtado