Demonstrators Protest Spanish Move To Suspend Catalan Autonomy

BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 21: People wave Catalan independence flags after listening to a 9pm statement by Catalan regional president Carles Puigdemont while they gather in front of the Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya, the building that houses the Catalonian presidency, following a demonstration for Catalan independence to demand the release of imprisoned Catalan leaders Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Cuixart on October 21, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. The Spanish government announced measures today it will implement in triggering Article 155, which would lead to the imposition of direct rule by Spanish authorities in Catalonia and at least temporarily suspend the region's autonomy. The government also plans to hold Catalan regional elections in January. The moves come after Catalan regional President Carles Puigdemont let a Thursday deadline today pass and threatened to go forward with Catalan independence. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)