This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34219386
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Catalan independence rally in Barcelona draws thousands | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Tens of thousands of Catalans gathered in Barcelona on Friday to show support for independence from Spain. | |
Organizers had hoped to attract at least 500,000 people using the slogan "Let's start building a new country". | |
A separatist coalition of parties is leading the polls ahead of Catalonia's regional elections this month. | A separatist coalition of parties is leading the polls ahead of Catalonia's regional elections this month. |
The Together For Yes campaign says if it wins a majority in the regional assembly it will push through plans for an independent Catalan state. | The Together For Yes campaign says if it wins a majority in the regional assembly it will push through plans for an independent Catalan state. |
But the Spanish government has promised to block any move to break away. Madrid said an unofficial Catalan referendum last November was invalid. | |
The November poll saw 80% of voters back independence but turnout was just 40%. | |
The Together for Yes group kicked off its campaign late on Thursday night ahead of the rally on Friday, when Catalans celebrate their national day. | |
The coalition comprises political groups from both the left and right, who have come together in the face of continued Madrid government opposition to a referendum. | The coalition comprises political groups from both the left and right, who have come together in the face of continued Madrid government opposition to a referendum. |
The Spanish government says it will block any unilateral declaration of independence, reports the BBC's Tom Burridge in Barcelona. | The Spanish government says it will block any unilateral declaration of independence, reports the BBC's Tom Burridge in Barcelona. |
Such a move would be unprecedented in the history of the European Union, our correspondent adds. | Such a move would be unprecedented in the history of the European Union, our correspondent adds. |