Catalan protesters rally against Madrid’s central control

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Barcelona on Monday to protest Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's decision to maintain central government control over Catalonia.

Protesters hold up banners reading "Republic is Freedom" and demanding freedom for the politic prisoners during a demonstration in favor of the Catalan republic and called by the Catalan National Assembly in Barcelona. (AFP)

Protesters chanted and held banners reading 'republic is freedom.' "We aren't on a democracy any more. Democracy is to enjoy the freedom of expression, freedom of manifestation, the freedom of opinion," spokesperson of Coordinadora d'Advocats Jordi Domingo said.

Article 155 of the Spanish constitution, which was imposed by Madrid, establishes direct control of the central government over Catalonia.