Angry protests in Barcelona as Spain rounds up Catalan officials

Thousands took to the streets of Barcelona on Sept. 20 as Spanish police detained 13 Catalan government officials in a crackdown ahead of an independence referendum which Madrid says is illegal.

With tensions mounting, separatist organisations called for more people to protest as leaders in the northeastern region pressed ahead with preparations for the Oct. 1 vote despite Madrid's ban and a court ruling deeming it unconstitutional.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called for calm, urging "a return to normality and a return to common sense because the referendum cannot take place."   

But Catalan President Carles Puigdemont accused Madrid of imposing a "de facto" state of emergency to try and stop the referendum.

Among those arrested by the Guardia Civil police was Josep Maria Jove, secretary general of economic affairs and Catalonia's deputy vice president, a regional government spokesman said.

The others work in various Catalan government departments, including its economic and budget affairs departments, a local Guardia Civil spokesman said.

The reason for the arrests was not immediately clear, but Spain's central government has warned that officials who help stage the referendum could face criminal charges.

Police said they staged 22 search operations.

In central Barcelona, thousands of protesters gathered near Jove's office, many draped in red and yellow Catalan flags, chanting "Independence!" and "We will vote!"  
 
 Anna Sola, an unemployed 45-year-old, said she rushed out to protest after hearing about Jove's arrest on the news and through text messages from friends.

"They are attacking our institutions, those that we voted for, just for simply doing what the people...