Inspired by Scotland’s ballot, Spain’s Catalans demand secession vote

Hundreds of thousands of Catalan separatists swarmed Barcelona on Thursday, waving independence flags and demanding a secession referendum that the Spanish government insists would be illegal. Energized by an upcoming Scotland independence vote that appears too close to call, many sported yellow-and-red shirts with the phrase “Now is the time” and shouted “Independencia!” in Catalan as they crowded two avenues that look like a “V” from the air and positioned themselves to signify their desire to vote and eventually carve out a new European nation.

If the ‘Yes’ wins in Scotland, and it looks like it will be close, and Europe accepts it, they will accept Catalonia, which is bigger and in relation to Spain stronger than Scotland in relation to England.

Lluis Enric Florenca, retired hospital director, economist

Just how many showed up was in dispute. Barcelona police said that 1.8 million participated, but the Spanish Interior Ministry’s regional office in Catalonia put the number at no more than 525,000. Catalonia regional leader Artur Mas said his government is not wavering from plans to hold a Nov 9 referendum in the region of 7.6 million people, even though experts say any attempt is sure to be blocked by Spain’s Constitutional Court. Mas has repeatedly said he will not call an illegal vote. Polls have suggested that Scotland’s independence vote on Sept 18 is too close to call and that has captivated a wide variety of groups in addition to Catalan separatists. They include pro-independence Basques in northern Spain, Corsicans who want to break away from France, Italians from several northern regions and Flemish speakers in Belgium who are demanding more autonomy, independence or union with the Netherlands.

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