Catalan separatists light Montserrat mountain to mark anniversary of independence referendum

Record ID: 1434352

  • Title: Catalan separatists light Montserrat mountain to mark anniversary of independence referendum
  • Date: 30th September 2019
  • Summary: LIGHTS ON PEAKS AND PEOPLE CHANTING IN CATALAN, "INDEPENDENCE, INDEPENDENCE"
  • Embargoed: 14th October 2019 20:40
  • Keywords: Catalonia independence referendum anniversary independence 2nd anniversary of referendum Quim Torra Montserrat mountain lights Catalan separatists Catalonia
  • Location: EL BRUC, SPAIN
  • City: EL BRUC, SPAIN
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA003AYUNSXZ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Catalonia's regional leader on Monday (September 30) addressed separatist supporters on the eve of the second anniversary of the October 1st referendum on independence with the mountain of Montserrat as a back drop shining 131 lights from its jagged peaks, representing the region's different presidents.
    Under the slogan "light and freedom," Quim Torra declared October 1 the founding date of the "unstoppable path to a Catalan republic."
    On October 1, 2017, Catalonia's regional government led by Carles Puigdemont held a referendum deemed unconstitutional by Spain's courts and subsequently declared the region independent.
    The Spanish government responded by using Article 155 of the constitution to sack Puigdemont's government and call snap elections in the northeastern region.
    The anniversary comes as 12 separatist leaders charged for rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds are expected to be handed their sentences in the first half of October.
    Seven separatist activists were also arrested in September.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2019. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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