Police charge at left-wing protesters countering far-right pro-independence demonstration

In gatherings called on the eve of Catalonia's National Day, police have charged against left-wing demonstrators who were countering a far-right pro-independence rally in Barcelona. 

Riot police charged at anti-fascist protesters at Fossar de les Moreres, in the centre of the Born neighbourhood of Barcelona, who were demonstrating against an event held there by Aliança Catalana (AC), the youngest pro-independence political force that have made their name in recent years on an anti-immigration ticket.

Catalan police split the square with a cordon, with AC supporters inside and anti-fascists outside.

Around 5:45pm, the Mossos removed an anti-fascist banner from Passeig del Born, sparking moments of tension and resulting in some baton strikes.

More than a hundred far-right pro-independence supporters gathered in one corner of the square, surrounded by Mossos officers, while up to 300 anti-fascists were kept outside the Fossar square.

The opposing gorups were positioned some 30 meters apart and chanted slogans at each other. 

From the far-right side, they hailed that "Orriols is the solution," referring to anti-immigration leader of AC, Sílvia Orriols. Meanwhile, the pro-independence left-wing protesters chanted slogans such as "fascists out of our neighborhoods."

Pro-independence flags, known as estelades, were seen on both sides of the divide, alongside specific symbols of each group.

In her speech at the gathering, Orriols accused mainstream pro-independence political leaders of "inaction, collusion, and betrayal."

"The political caste has traded away our rights and dreams in exchange for privileges and positions," she said. "It is time for them to lose those privileges and positions, and for our people to regain their rights and hope."