SPAIN-CATALONIA/VOTE-CAMPAIGN CLOSING Thousands at campaign rally ahead of symbolic Catalonia vote

Record ID: 328360

  • Title: SPAIN-CATALONIA/VOTE-CAMPAIGN CLOSING Thousands at campaign rally ahead of symbolic Catalonia vote
  • Date: 7th November 2014
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF PEOPLE DISPLAYING HUGE BANNER SHOWING A BALLOT BOX
  • Embargoed: 22nd November 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA5BAUHSONYW099H35CC46IPABL
  • Story Text: Thousands of pro-independence people gathered in central Barcelona on Friday (November 07) for the closing rally of a campaign ahead of a symbolic vote to be held in Catalonia on November 9.
    "Independence, independence " the supporters chanted as they waved pro-independence "Estelada" flags.
    The rally was joined by Natalie McGarry, a representative from the Scottish Independence Movement .
    "The people of Scotland were hold by the United Kingdom and we hope you will hold your government and the Spanish government to account. They must understand that the people are sovereign. And when they feel to hold up to their promises to us we will demand to go back to the ballot vote and we will achieve our independence," McGarry said as she addressed the cheering crowds.
    The vote, promoted by Catalonia's president Artur Mas and pro-independence parties and social movements, has been banned twice by Spain's Constitutional Court, following legal procedures by the Spanish government.
    Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has said the vote is illegal and has demanded the right for all Spaniards to take part in an eventual independence referendum.
    Rajoy has even said he would put constitutional reform on the table. Such a move, which would turn Spain into a more a federal state, might better accommodate Catalonia's long-term national feelings without agreeing to secession.
    On Sunday, the symbolic vote is likely to take place peacefully.
    Catalonia's regional government has presented the November 9 ballot as an informal non-binding consultation.
    One supporters at the rally called it a historic moment.
    "If I wasn't' sure of what we are doing I wouldn't be here. This is a historic moment. We would never have thought we would have got so far. Today it is Friday and this is packed. I think the power of people will make it happen. The power of people," Barcelona resident Nuria Florencia said.
    "It is worth it because then we will be able to decide our own future and our economic and cultural structures. What we don't want is having someone else telling us what to do and treating our language and our country badly," Joan Antoni Lamarca, said.
    "What we have to do is to vote. We would accept any result democratically," said Nuria Florenca Soler.
    The Spanish state insists it will closely monitor any infringement of the law. But government sources say it is unlikely the regional police, which is controlled by the Catalan government, will stand in the way of people casting their ballots.
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