Thousands demonstrate in support of Spanish unity in Barcelona

Thousands gathered yesterday in Barcelona, Catalonia’s capital, in support of Spanish unity, Bloomberg reports. The demonstrations came as the Catalan government “dismissed Madrid’s direct administrative control” of Catalonia to reaffirm the region’s independence despite Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy dissolving the Catalan government 48 hours earlier. “The real test of strength for the two sides will come when schools and government offices open Monday, and teachers and civil servants decide whether to follow the ousted Catalan leaders’ call to resist their Spanish masters or acquiesce to the new reality,” the news service says.