Catalonia: Anti-independence protesters stage large rally in Barcelona
Thousands turn out as the 'silent majority' of Catalans make their voice heard about staying part of Spain.
Sunday 29 October 2017 14:01, UK
Anti-independence protesters who want Catalonia to remain part of Spain took to the streets of Barcelona as the country remains mired in a constitutional crisis.
Chanting "Viva Espana" (long live Spain) and "prison for Puigdemont", hundreds of thousands of people carrying Spanish and Catalan flags marched through the centre of the city.
It comes after the northeastern region declared independence, prompting Spain's prime minister to invoke emergency measures never used before.
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Mariano Rajoy dissolved the Catalonia parliament, sacked the head of the police force and called new elections for 21 December.
Deputy PM Soraya Saenz de Santamaria was put in charge of the rebel region.
Catalonia's disputed president, Carles Puigdemont, who could be jailed for 30 years over "rebellion" charges, has urged people to
"It's very clear that the best form of defending the gains made up until now is democratic opposition to Article 155," he said.
Despite saying it will soon file charges against him, the Spanish government has said it would welcome his participation in the new elections.
Pro-independence supporters celebrated and waved flags in the streets after the Catalan parliament finally made the declaration on Friday.
Representatives from three Catalan opposition parties will be among the crowds, including from Mr Rajoy's Popular Party.
An anti-independence protest in Madrid on Saturday drew several thousand people to Plaza Colon as the song Y Viva Espana (Long Live Spain) blared out.
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has tried to play down the significance of his team playing away at Girona on Sunday - the city is a bastion of the Catalan independence movement.
Spain arrived at its constitutional crisis after the Catalan government held an illegal referendum on breaking from Spain on 1 October.
Marred by police violence, regional officials said more than 90% of people had voted to go it alone, on a turnout of 43%.
The wealthy region of 7.5 million has its own language and distinct culture - which was repressed under the Franco regime.
It enjoyed considerable autonomy before direct rule was reimposed.
Many Catalans also say they contribute more to the Spanish economy than they get back.
Spain's government is taking an extremely tough stance to ward off similar independence ambitions from regions such as Galicia and the Basque country.