Marchers turn out for Spain National Day
THOUSANDS of Catalans who want their region to remain in Spain marked the country’s national day yesterday, marching through Barcelona waving both Spanish and Catalan flags and shouting “I am Spanish”.
Meanwhile, in the national capital, Madrid, troops and police paraded in front of King Felipe VI, accompanied by national and regional politicians.
Thousands of people waving Spanish flags lined the pavement of Madrid’s Paseo de la Castellana avenue for the military parade amid crisis in Spain over Catalonia’s vote for independence in a referendum considered illegal by national authorities.
Spain is waiting for a response to a government request to Catalonia’s leader to clarify by Monday if he has already declared independence.
If so, Spain warns it may apply Article 155 of its Constitution and begin taking full or partial control of the region.