Protesters reject secession push

CATALANS who want to remain part of Spain have taken to the streets to voice opposition to the region’s declaration of independence.

In the wake of the Saturday’s dismissal of Catalonia’s political leadership by central authorities in Madrid, the estimated 300,000 protesters described themselves as the “silent majority” who had been ignored in the independence push.

Catalonia’s political leadership was fired by central authorities trying to tame the worst political crisis Spain has seen in decades.

So far, Catalan’s former leader has insinuated he will not step down.

Waving Spanish, Catalan and European Union flags, the protesters said they had been ignored in the wealthy region’s bid for independence, which came to a head on Friday when the regional Parliament voted to secede from Spain.

“We have organised ourselves late, but we are here to show that there is a majority of Catalans that are no longer silent and that no longer want to be silenced,” said Alex Ramos, head of Catalan Civil Society, a pro-union grassroots group.

The organisers said more than a million people turned out but police put the figure at 300,000.

“We won’t let Spain be torn apart into pieces,” read one banner.

“The awakening of a silenced nation,” read another.

In response to the secessionist vote, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy triggered constitutional powers, firing the secessionist regional government and calling an early regional election for December 21.

Ousted regional leader Carles Puigdemont has called for Catalans to engage in peaceful opposition to the central Government’s takeover of the region’s affairs.