Tensions high as police hold back people outside Barcelona polling stations
Yang Xinmeng
["europe"]
Spanish police forcibly removed people from the road on Sunday, as officers on foot escorted a convoy of police vehicles. They also held back a crowd of people who had come to vote outside a polling station in Barcelona.
Spain's Constitutional Court ordered the referendum on Catalonia's independence to be suspended and central authorities say it's illegal.
Regional separatist leaders have pledged to hold it regardless, promising to declare independence if the "yes" side wins, and have called on 5.3 million eligible voters to cast ballots.
People in Barcelona showed the injuries they say were sustained as a result of police action.
A man showed injuries to his leg and said police fired rubber balls at him. 
Another man showed his back injuries saying that "we have to protest in a non violent way but how will we end up? This way."
Several people held up the ball-like projectiles they said had been used in police actions.
Source(s): AP