At the University of Barcelona the tensions surrounding Catalan independence have pitted students against one another.
Intense rows broke out outside lecture halls where those who back separating from Spain piled furniture against doorways and manned access routes stopping people getting to their lectures as part of a three day “strike” to respond to the call for direct action.
The two sides screamed at one another with some students trying to push against doorways to get in.
The Spanish government, whilst being firm on the need to restore order and legality to the region, will want to avoid a repeat of the violent scenes on referendum day when the national police they sent in faced widespread criticism.
But an extra worry is how obedient the Catalan police – the “Mossos” – will be to orders from Spain.
If many of them defy instruction then it could add to a much feared tense environment.
What seems pretty much certain now is that there is little chance of any breakthrough politically.
Spain seems certain to push through with imposing direct control and the Catalan parliament seems certain to declare independence.
The Vice President of the Catalan parliament insists that Spain has given the separatists no choice but to “proclaim a new republic”.
Both of those actions are certain to galvanise those who support separation from Spain.