Catalonia to stage more protests: Crowds to take to the streets on Sunday
Getty Writers will stage a large scale demonstration to protest against Catalonia’s bid for independence
The demonstration dubbed 'Stop! let’s regain our sanity' will see campaigners against Catalonia's independence rally against the controversial referendum. Sunday's vote has plunged Spain into its worst constitutional crisis in decades amid anger as Catalans and Spanish police clashed in violence scenes. But the movement against independence is gaining traction. Artists and writers will stage a large scale demonstration to protest against Catalonia’s bid for independence in the heart of Barcelona at the Plaza of Urquinaona at 12pm on Sunday.
High profile writers including Spanish-Peruvian writer and Nobel laureate Mario Vargos, writers Juan Goytisolo, Laura Freixes and Núria Amat; as well as Professor Anna Caballé will attend. Politicians including the president of Ciudadanos, Albert Rivera and the leader of the party in Catalonia, Inés Arrimadas and the leader of the Catalan PP Xavier García Albiol, will also be at the rally. Activists will protest for “democracy” at the demonstration called ‘Societat Civil Catalana’ in Spanish, ABC News in Spain reports. A source told ABC News: “The demonstration will be a success because we are overwhelmed by requests to organise and participate on Sunday."
Getty The president of Ciudadanos, Albert Rivera, will also attend the event
Catalonia's attempt to split from Spain was met with violence. Spanish police used batons and rubber bullets to stop people voting in Sunday's referendum, which Madrid banned as unconstitutional and illegal. The police action sparked worldwide condemnation and fanned separatist feeling but failed to prevent what the Catalan government described as an overwhelming yes vote. Catalan officials said police had closed or raided 400 of the more than 2,000 polling stations before or during the vote. Nonetheless, Catalan officials said 2.2 million votes were cast, with 90 percent in favour of independence. Spain’s government apologised on Friday for the violent police crackdown, in a conciliatory gesture as both sides looked for a way out of the nation's worst political crisis since it became a democracy four decades ago.
Writers Juan Goytisolo is against the break up of Spain Writer Juan Goytisolo is against the break up of Spain
Spain's representative in northeast Catalonia, which accounts for a fifth of the national economy, made the apology just as Catalonia's secessionist leader appeared to inch away from a plan to declare independence as early as Monday. Enric Millo said: “When I see these images, and more so when I know people have been hit, pushed and even one person who was hospitalised, I can't help but regret it and apologise on behalf of the officers that intervened.” Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has offered all-party political talks to find a solution, opening the door to a deal giving Catalonia more autonomy. But he has ruled out independence and rejected a Catalan proposal for international mediation.