Tens of thousands rally in Barcelona as Spains political crisis deepens

Tens of thousands took to the streets of Barcelona on Oct. 17 as the region refused to bow to the Spanish government and amp;#39;s demand that it renounces a symbolic declaration of independence. The Spanish government has threatened to put Catalonia, which accounts for a fifth of the economy, under direct central rule if its government does not abandon independence by Oct. 19.

Tens of thousands took to the streets of Barcelona on Oct. 17 as the region refused to bow to the Spanish government and amp;#39;s demand that it renounces a symbolic declaration of independence. The Spanish government has threatened to put Catalonia, which accounts for a fifth of the economy, under direct central rule if its government does not abandon independence by Oct. 19.