Catalans still very deeply divided
A year after independence call, region unsure about path of future
SANT JULI de RAMIS (Spain): For Jaume Casamitjana, last year’s banned independence referendum in Catalonia marked a watershed in his feelings about Spain, while for Alexandra Lopez-Liz, it pushed her to take a stand against the separatist movement.
A year after the contested Oct 1, 2017 referendum, disagreements over separatism have deepened in the wealthy northwestern region of Spain, which is home to some 7.5 million people and has its own distinct language.
Far from uniting the community, it has polarised opinion, leaving deep divisions over the region’s fate.
The tiny village of Sant Julia de Ramis – which was prevented from participating in the referendum after dozens of riot police smashed their way into its polling station to seize voting material just before it opened – plans to mark the anniversary of the vote today.
“For many, it was a point of no return regarding Spain,” said Casamitjana, who lives in this town of 3,500 people in the province of Girona, where support for independence runs highest.
“They wanted to scare us but it backfired. Before this town was very divided, now it is more united,” the 58-year-old said.
The regional Catalan government had promised to declare independence within 48 hours of the vote if the “yes” side won.
When it finally did vote to declare independence on Oct 27, Madrid swiftly sacked the Catalan government, prompting several key figures to flee abroad, including deposed Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont. Others were jailed.
“People are very angry, we feel deceived,” said Casamitjana, explaining how the referendum has polarised opinion all round.
Some of those previously considered more “moderate” separatists now tell him that the jailed separatist leaders should remain behind bars because they are “traitors” to the cause – for not making good on their independence bid.
Puigdemont’s successor, Quim Torra, is scheduled to attend the ceremony in Sant Julia de Ramis.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who ousted conservative Mariano Rajoy in June, has proposed drafting a new autonomy statute for Catalonia which could be put to a vote. But Torra wants to start taking steps to implement independence.
“A year ago we could have negotiated a solution, not now. Oct 1 marked a before and after,” said 54-year-old plumber Santi Anglada.
With Catalans evenly split on the issue of independence, the referendum also marked a turning point for others who had, for the most part, watched passively as the independence movement grew.