AKIPRESS.COM - Protesters have clashed with police in Barcelona as thousands took to the streets there and in cities across Catalonia to mark the first anniversary of the contested referendum on independence from Spain, BBC reported.

More than 180,000 demonstrators marched in Barcelona.

Police wielding batons broke up a demonstration in front of the Catalan regional parliament.

Hundreds of activists occupied high-speed rail tracks for several hours.

Roads and a motorway were also blocked.