Around one million Catalans have rallied in Barcelona waving
red and yellow striped flags and banging drums, in a show of support for
independence after Madrid moved to block a referendum on the region's split
from Spain.
September 11 marks the "Diada", Catalonia's
national day, which commemorates the fall of Barcelona to Spain in 1714 and is
traditionally used by pro-independence activists to call for secession for the
northeastern region with a distinct language.
However, this year's event had particular significance as a
show of strength for the independence movement just three weeks ahead of a
referendum on the issue which Madrid has declared illegal and taken steps to
obstruct in the courts.
President of the Catalan Government, Carles Puigdemont, answers
to media after a pro-independence demonstration Credit: AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators climbed on one anothers' shoulders to form
human towers, a Catalan tradition, while others carried banners reading
"We're going to be a free country!" and 'Full of hope' while wearing
fluorescent yellow t-shirts with the word 'yes'.
City police said on Twitter that around one million people
took part, one of the highest turn-outs in recent years. Protesters said they
hoped the vote would go ahead as planned on October 1.
"We hope that we will be able to hold the referendum
with total normality, because in a democracy it is normal to be able to
vote," said German Freixas, a 42-year-old engineer accompanying his family
to the rally.
"If the people want it to happen, it will go ahead,"
the police said.
The Constitutional Court last Thursday suspended the
referendum after a legal challenge by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. Police have
since searched newspaper offices and printers for signs of any preparation for
the referendum.
The head of Catalonia's regional government, Carles
Puigdemont, told journalists on Monday: "It's not an option that the
referendum won't go ahead. It's 20 days away and we've already overcome many
hurdles."
Puigdemont is facing criminal charges of misuse of public
money, disobedience and abuse of office for organising the referendum. He is
prepared to go to prison, he has said.
A majority of Catalonia's mayors have so far said they will
allow the use of municipal facilities for the vote. The mayor of Barcelona, Ada
Colau, said on Monday she would do everything possible to allow people to vote
but would not put civil servants' jobs at risk.
Polls have shown support for independence waning in recent
years with those wanting a separate state in a minority. However, a majority of
Catalans want to vote on the issue.
At a peaceful march in August, convened as a show of unity
in the wake of Islamist attacks that killed 16, mostly in Barcelona, the king
and Rajoy were booed and jeered by the crowds in a show of resentment towards
Madrid.
Protesters on Monday held a minute of silence for the
victims of the attacks.
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