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PHOTO GALLERY: Pro-Catalan independence demonstrators gather in hundreds of Spanish towns




People take part in a gathering in support of the banned October 1 independence referendum in Barcelona, Spain, September 24, 2017 Reuters

Carnations are left on a graffiti reading "We will vote independence October 1" during a gathering in support of the banned October 1st independence referendum in Barcelona, Spain, September 24, 2017 Reuters

Young women wearing Esteladas (Catalan separatist flag) paste posters on the wall in support of the banned October 1st independence referendum in Barcelona, Spain, September 24, 2017 Reuters

People wave Spanish flags as they gather at Barcelona's port bringing food and drinks to Spanish National Police and Guardia Civil officers, who are housed on charter ferries on September 24, 2017 AFP

A pro-referendum demonstrator on rollers waves an Estelada during a demonstration outside Barcelona's university in Barcelona on September 24, 2017 AFP

Pro-referendum demonstrators hold a banner reading "Democracy" during a demonstration outside Barcelona's university in Barcelona on September 24, 2017 AFP

A pro-referendum demonstrator holds a placard reading "Only kisses cover our mouths" during a demonstration outside Barcelona's university in Barcelona on September 24, 2017 AFP

Pro-referendum demonstrators brandish their ballots during a demonstration outside Barcelona's university in Barcelona on September 24, 2017 AFP

Pro-referendum demonstrators brandish their ballots during a demonstration outside Barcelona's university in Barcelona on September 24, 2017 AFP

A pro-referendum demonstrator writes slogans on placards for a demonstration outside Barcelona's university in Barcelona on September 24, 2017 AFP

Demonstrators calling for Catalan independence gathered in hundreds of towns across the region on Sunday following Madrid's actions last week to try to block a referendum on self rule that it considers illegal.

Spanish police have arrested Catalan officials who were involved in organising the Oct. 1 vote and they also seized electoral material, including ballot papers and ballot boxes. This led to several days of protests in Barcelona.

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