(20 Oct 2019) Protesters hurled bags of rubbish in the direction of a Spanish government building during a Catalan independence demonstration in Barcelona on Sunday.
Demonstrators angered by Monday's Supreme Court verdict that sentenced nine Catalan politicians and activists to prison for their roles in a failed 2017 secession attempt have taken to the streets for seven consecutive nights.
Throughout the week, huge peaceful protests have turned violence, with radical separatists clashing with police in Barcelona and other Catalan cities.
Sunday's demonstration remained peaceful despite failed attempts by some people to set the bags of rubbish on fire, and even after demonstrators marched to the Spanish police headquarters, which has been the stage of major violence in past protests.
Josep San Feliu, 59, was among the older generation of protesters trying to keep younger troublemakers from lighting fires.
"They take advantage of the situation as they would take advantage of the final of a soccer game or any event to commit violent acts," Feliu said.
"The only movements that have triumphed in the world are the non-violent movements. With violence the state (Spain) always has more power," he added.
Authorities say more than 500 people have been injured this week, including protesters and police.
Eighteen people remain in hospital, at least one in a very serious condition.
Police have made over 150 arrests.
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