Catalans mobilized for independence | …

The authorities of Catalonia have asked to "return to dialogue" with the Spanish government in order to exercise their "right to self-determination". This is during the celebration of the Diada, name that receives the national holiday of this region that aspires to its independence from Spain. The act took place at a time of political uncertainty for the Catalan regional government, in the hands of secessionists, because of the high probability that new general elections will take place in Spain. We will also know in October the verdict against 12 leaders involved in the separation attempt in 2017. Some 600,000 people attended the mobilization in the center of Barcelona.

On the occasion of the national holiday, the Catalan President, Quim Torra, insisted that the right to decide is the only way to resolve the political conflict with Spain. "If we are not yet free, it's because we have not finished the road," said Torra, who will soon be tried for disobedience in refusing to remove yellow buildings from the yellow links with which the independence movement stands in solidarity with its imprisoned leaders. "Peoples are part of the states in two ways: by will or imposition, by accession or repression.There is only one way to solve this dilemma, which is to exercise the right to freedom. self-determination, "he said. The feast of the Diada recalls the fall of Barcelona on September 11, 1714 in front of the troops of the Bourbon king Felipe V, during the War of Spanish Succession. The date has become the founding myth of the Catalan nation claimed by the secessionists.

The estimated 600,000-strong police force in Barcelona is the lowest since the Diada expressed its desire to separate the Catalans seven years ago. In 2018 and 2017, about one million people participated, according to police sources. "We are again hundreds of thousands of people who populate the streets of Barcelona," said Elisenda Paluzie, president of the Catalan National Assembly (ANC), organizer of the event. "This is the most difficult diada we have organized, not only we have not made progress, but we are moving back a step," said the head of the government, with regard to the quest for "the most difficult Diada. independence.

The atmosphere was very different from that of October 2017, when they had organized a referendum for self-determination and proclaimed a short-lived republic in this region of 7.5 million inhabitants. Some of their leaders have been in pre-trial detention for nearly two years for alleged rebellion and face jail time. In the case of the main defendant, the former regional vice president, Oriol Junqueras, the prosecution is asking for a 25-year sentence. "Today, we will show the world that we persist despite the repression," wrote on Twitter the ex-president of Catalonia Carles Puigdemont exiled in Belgium. The portraits of the prisoners were present during the demonstration with the motto "objective independence". In October, the judgment of the Supreme Court against the twelve leaders judged by the attempted secession of 2017 will be known.

Divergences are growing between the two separatist parties that share the regional government on how to strengthen secession. Together for Catalonia (JxC), Puigdemont and his successor, Quim Torra, he calls "confrontation" with Madrid if the Supreme Court pronounces a sentence. On the other hand, the party of the Republican Left (ERC) party Junqueras, is committed to dialogue with the Spanish socialist government.

Regional government spokeswoman Meritxell Budó defended the dialogue and called for "mbadive and civic" mobilization to recover democracy and the national rights and freedoms of Catalonia. At one point during the event, the Spanish anthem made its appearance in a hotel room near the event, which bothered participants. Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau, who also participated in the commemoration, again demanded "agreements" and "understanding". And he reiterated his solidarity with imprisoned political and social leaders.

Since the Madrid Congress, they have also demonstrated on the subject. "We believe that repression is the worst way to resolve political conflict," said spokeswoman for JxC independence group Laura Borras. He took advantage of his speech during the session to ask the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, to listen to the Catalans, and lamented that imprisoned leaders could be sentenced. "Neither repression nor exile can put an end to the desire for independence," he said. "He wanted one day to come where Diada is the feast of all Catalans and not a party," said Sanchez in turn. Conducting negotiations with United We can, in search, form a government and avoid new elections.