Thousands in Catalan crisis rallies
THOUSANDS of people have rallied in Madrid and Barcelona in a last-ditch call for Spanish and Catalan leaders to halt a national crisis.
The demonstrations come amid Catalonia’s imminent threat to secede from Spain.
Both protests were held simultaneously under the slogan “Shall We Talk?” in an effort to push legislators into talks. Catalonia regional president Carles Puigdemont has vowed he will make good on the results of last Sunday’s disputed referendum on secession won by the Yes side. Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy warned the vote was illegal and promised Catalonia is going nowhere.