Catalonians go on hike to mark year since independence vote
150 views · Published 5 October 2018 · 2:27 · Indexed 29 September 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(30 Sep 2018) Hundreds of Catalonia residents hiked from several towns to Sant Joan de Vilatorrada on Sunday to mark the near-anniversary of the semiautonomous region's independence referendum, which took place on Oct. 1 last year. People marched from the municipalities of Fonollosa, Castellgali and Callus to demonstrate their support for regional autonomy and their disapproval of police brutality taking place during the referendum. Spanish police in riot gear last year stormed polling stations to prevent the independence vote to go ahead, leaving hundreds injured. Following the vote, the Spanish government in Madrid sacked the Catalan government, prompting key politicians - including Catalan leader Carles Puigedemont - to leave the country. A year after the failed independence declaration, many locals still hope for a "Republic of Catalonia." "We will continue to fight for independence despite the many difficulties. We'll do it day by day," local resident Jesus Bricolle told the Associated Press. According to recent polls, Catalonia's 7.5 million people appear roughly evenly divided on the secession question. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/9407cffe7dc62546049bc9a7f55008dc
