12 Sep 2015

Mass rally for Catalonia independence

4:30 pm on 12 September 2015

Hundreds of thousands of people have rallied in Spain in support of independence for the region of Catalonia.

Demonstrators wave "Estelada" flags (pro-independence Catalan flags) during celebrations of Catalonia's National Day.

Demonstrators wave 'Estelada' flags (pro-independence Catalan flags) during celebrations of Catalonia's National Day. Photo: AFP

Barcelona was a sea of red, yellow and blue pro-independence flags on what Catalans celebrate as their national day.

The demonstration was taking place two weeks before regional elections.

Pro-independence campaigners said the poll would be a proxy vote on independence for Catalonia.

Madrid has promised to block any move to break away, and dismissed the result of an unofficial Catalan referendum last year.

- BBC

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