Catalan defence committees ready to take to the streets

BARCELONA. — When teachers, students, parents and activists turned up to defend polling stations against police in Catalonia’s banned independence referendum, it became evident that a well-organised grassroots movement had emerged.

Many were part of “committees to defend the referendum”, or CDRs neighbourhood groups set up about a month prior, at times with the help of well-honed activists, to ensure the vote went ahead on October 1 despite a court ruling it unconstitutional.

Now, scattered across Catalan town and cities, driven by their quest for independence, they are ready to take to the streets against Spain’s central government - and pressure their own regional separatist executive if they back down.

“We’re stoked. And we think this can scare even the Catalan government,” said Julia Coll, a participant in a CDR in Barcelona’s Dreta de l’Eixample district. A text on the Telegram messaging app sent after a meeting of another committee in the Sant Andreu area read: “We need to mobilise to demand the proclamation of the independent Catalan republic and/or its defence once proclaimed.”

Pressure is mounting for Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont to make clear whether or not he declares independence ahead of a Monday deadline set by Spain’s government. Pressure on both sides If he does, Madrid is prepared to impose direct control over the semi-autonomous region.

If he doesn’t, independence supporters are ready to pressure him into it.

Either way, people will likely take to the streets this week.

Whether they will be able to match the 700 000 who rallied on October 3 in protest at police violence during the referendum remains to be seen.