The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Thousands of people had gathered outside polling stations before dawn, joining those who had spent the night camped inside to ensure they would be open on the day.
In central Barcelona, riot police charged at demonstrators who were sitting on the ground at a polling station, and fired rubber bullets, witnesses said.
– ‘Unjustified violence’ –
The crackdown drew a sharp rebuke from Catalan leaders and others including Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the pro-independence Scottish National Party.
“Over 460 People Injured in Catalonia During Referendum-Barcelona Mayor” by REUTERS via NYT https://t.co/g1WCyNXJA9
— Votarem-We will vote (@pacoriviere) October 1, 2017
“The unjustified use of violence, which is both irrational and irresponsible, by the Spanish state will not stop the will of the Catalan people,” Catalan president Carles Puigdemont said.
The police, he said, had used “batons, rubber bullets and indiscriminate force” against people demonstrating “peacefully”.
“The head of a cowardly government has flooded our city with police,” Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau wrote on Twitter, adding: “Barcelona city of peace, we are not afraid” — a slogan coined after August’s jihadist vehicle rampage that killed 16 people.
Riot police also stormed a polling station near Girona, smashing the glass doors of the sports centre where Puigdemont was due to vote and cutting a chain to force their way in.
But the regional government said Puigdemont had managed to vote anyway in nearby Cornella del Terri, and in several areas voting was reported to be peaceful.
Spanish police attack Catalan firefighters. #CatalanReferendum pic.twitter.com/Yrpj2UFi2L
— benfolley (@benfolley) October 1, 2017
The trouble caused Barcelona football club to play its La Liga tie against Las Palmas behind closed doors after the Spanish league refused to postpone the match.
Under a sea of umbrellas outside a school in Barcelona, a crowd gathered, among them elderly people in wheelchairs, families with buggies and parents clutching toddlers by the hand.
With no police in sight, they were able to cast their ballots, prompting scenes of jubilation.
“I’ve voted! I’ve voted,” one man shouted.
“That’s the great hope, to be able to vote freely like this despite the problems we’ve faced, I’m very happy. I can die peacefully,” added Jose Mas Ribas, 79.
– Overtaxed, underfunded –
Although Catalans are divided over independence, most want to vote on the matter in a legal and binding plebiscite.
Pro-separatist lawmakers have pushed for a referendum since September 2015 when they won a narrow majority in Catalonia’s parliament.
Catalan police Mossos stop the brutality of Spanish paramilitary police (G.Civil) against #CatalanReferendum voterspic.twitter.com/lDy32kgQSj
— David d’Enterria *X (@denterd) October 1, 2017
Although Catalonia already has significant control over education, healthcare and welfare, the region says it pays more in taxes than it receives from Madrid.
This has sparked resentment which has been further exacerbated by Spain’s economic woes and helped push the secessionist cause.
Rajoy’s government has come under fire for limiting its response to the crisis, and several leftwing politicians called on Sunday for him to resign.
“The state needs to explain the benefits of remaining united, instead of repeating all the time that the referendum is illegal,” said Rafael Castillo, a 59-year-old engineer at a Madrid rally, wearing a scarf with the Spanish flag around his neck.
