http://www.elperiodico.com/es/

Very eye-opening today that the journos who were opposed to Scottish Independence are more fixated with the referendum being 'illegal' than they are about the Spanish states facism in the way of police brutality.

It shows a real underlying hatred of democracy.

Billy_Hainey wrote:

As we all know, these strong-arm tactics sometimes have a habit of working for benefit of the oppressed and against the oppressor.

Aye for sure Billy, today the Catalan people did very well to continue to hold their arms in the air whilst being hurt without retaliating.

Their tactics were sound but to follow it through peacefully for the world to see is a lesson to many. They deserve credit & respect for their character & unity in reaction without fighting physically.
 

Arabnophobia wrote:

Britain’s foreign ministry:

"The referendum is a matter for the Spanish government and people. We want to see Spanish law and the Spanish constitution respected and the rule of law upheld."

It's Spanish government policy that Gibraltar is reclaimed for the state: see how foolish that bit of British diplomacy looks.
 

Boy I work for is from Barca, he's really concerned about how this might all escalate.

He says he'd love Catalonia to be independent one day but feels it is not quite ready for it yet.

PatReilly wrote:

That's the Catalonian Parliament voted Independence in today. Wonder what's next?

No doubt the EU countries will rally around the Spanish Government and issue non recognition statements.

It's a real complex situation in Catalonia, and always has been.. The three left wing parties in the parliament (130 seats) are split pro independence (10 seats) and anti (16 & 11). Another against party is right wing, with 11 seats. To put it into confusing context, it's akin to the Tories being allies of the Socialist Workers' Party in the UK.

Complex right enough. I remember reading about the Spanish Civil War, and the downfall of Barcelona. Although the Republicans were well armed in the north-east, the sizeable contingent of anarchists refused to be part of the hierarchy of an organised military, and many wouldn't take strategic orders.

As a result, the Nationalists (different connotation to today's idea, in that they were of the Far Right)), who were strongly supported by the Royalists, emerged victorious. But the royal family disappeared from the scene, until Franco's death.

As Ray Davies sang, It's a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world.

Cat--alonia, cat--cat--cat--alonia, sorry, first thing that came into my head after reading your final line.