Catalonia vows to push ahead with independence bid despite Madrid warning

Hundreds of thousands of Catalans prepared to rally in the streets of Barcelona today in what campaigners hope will be a show of support for independence after Madrid moved to block a planned referendum on the region's split from Spain.


The 'Diada' day of Sept. 11, which commemorates the fall of Barcelona to Spain in 1714, is often used by activists to voice their demands for an independent state. Coachloads of demonstrators travel to Barcelona from villages in the region.

Hostility between Madrid and Barcelona has ramped up since Spain's Constitutional Court last Thursday suspended the referendum, planned for Oct. 1, following a legal challenge by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. The Madrid government says the referendum contravenes the constitution, which states that Spain is indivisible.

Under Article 155 of Spain's constitution, Madrid has the power to intervene directly in the running of Catalonia's regional government, forcing it to drop the vote. This could involve sending in the police or suspending the regional government's authority to rule.
 [dailysabah.com]
10/9/17