Massive protests in Barcelona against Catalonia's declaration of independence

Thousands of people protested in downtown Barcelona today against Catalonia's bid to secede from Spain.

Protesters gathered in downtown Barcelona today to protest against Catalonia's secession from Spain. Photo: AP.

Many in the crowd gathered in Barcelona's central square carried Spanish and Catalan flags. Some shouted: "Don't be stupid, Catalonia is Spain" and called for Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont to be jailed, AP reported.

The demonstration, which attracted around 350,000 people, came a week after Mr Puigdemont and other pro-independence leaders in Catalonia held a referendum on secession from Spain, which was blocked by Spain's constitutional court and Madrid because it violated the 1978 constitution.

However, according to the results announced by the Catalan government, 90% of voters supported separation from Spain. Regional leadersCataloniaaffirmed that he would push forward the process of declaring independence at all costs.GrandfatherPuigdemont is likely to unilaterally declare independence during a local parliamentary session on October 10, 24 hours later than originally planned.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has stressed that his government will not allow Catalonia to secede from the country. In an interview with El Pais newspaper, Mr. Rajoy said he would consider all measures "allowed by law" to prevent Catalonia from declaring independence.

Crowds protesting in Barcelona. Photo: Reuters.

Large protests were held yesterday in Madrid, Barcelona and a series of other cities to call on Mr. Rajoy and Mr. Puigdemont to negotiate a solution to Spain's worst political crisis in nearly four decades.

Opponents of Catalonia’s independence from Spain hope the October 8 protest will create more pressure, especially after several major companies, including Catalonia’s two leading banks, announced they were relocating their headquarters elsewhere in Spain. Some companies are said to be considering leaving Catalonia to avoid being kicked out of the European Union if the autonomous region in northeastern Spain succeeds.

"I hope nothing happens. Because Catalonia will lose more than Spain because businesses are leaving," said protester Juliana Prats, a Barcelona resident. "I hope everything stays the same, 40 years of peace."

According to VNE