MAX Security Report [email protected] +44 203 540 0434 Protest Spain Tactical: Assemblea Nacional Catalana 09 (ANC) to protest along Passeig de Colom, MAR Barcelona at 17:00 (local time) on March 11; 15:45 UTC allot for disruptions Please be advised According to a statement from the pro-independence Assemblea Nacional Catalana (ANC) movement, a demonstration will be held along Passeig de Colom in Barcelona from 17:00 on March 11. The statement said the demonstration is being held to demand the newly elected Catalan Parliament to establish an independent Catalan State as per the results of the unauthorized referendum held on October, 2017. On March 6, the speaker of the Catalan Parliament Roger Torrent announced that the legislature will convene on March 12 to elect a new President for the region. However, the candidate nominated by the speaker, former ANC President Jordi Sanchez has been jailed over sedition charges for his role in organizing the independence referendum. Additionally, on March 7, Spain’s Supreme Court rejected his request to release him from prison to attend the scheduled parliament meeting on March 12. Assessments & Forecast The protest comes in the backdrop heightened sensitivities over the ongoing political uncertainty in Catalonia, which is still without a provincial government since the central government’s dismissal of the Catalan President Carles Puigdemont following his declaration of independence on October 27, 2017. Such protracted grievances, along with the popular support enjoyed by ANC among pro- independence supporters in the region, will likely attract a high number of participants, potentially in page 1 / 2 the tens of thousands. Nevertheless, protests organized by the ANC over the past weeks suggest that the likelihood for the demonstration to evolve into unrest remains low. However, considering the central location of protest in Barcelona and the anticipated large turnout will likely lead to heavy traffic congestions in the vicinity of Passeig de Colom during the evening hours on March 11. Recommendations Those operating or residing in Barcelona are advised to allot for travel disruptions in the vicinity of Passeig de Colom during the evening hours on March 11. page 2 / 2 Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org).