The unitary pro-independence protest, jointly organised by the Catalan National Assembly, Òmnium Cultural and Consell per la República the day of the French-Spanish summit in Barcelona has been a huge success, bringing together more than 30.000 people.
More than 30.000 people have attended the unitary protest against the celebration of the French-Spanish summit in Barcelona. Once more, Catalan civil society has proved its determination, showing the Spanish government that contrary to what they have been affirming, the Catalan push for independence is far from over.
The mobilisation, organised jointly by the Catalan National Assembly, Òmnium Cultural and Consell per la República, with about forty smaller associations adhering to it, has also become a strong call for the defence of the Catalan people and language, in front of two centralist states who fail to protect it.
The Catalan language has been a victim of repression for centuries, and still is today. In Catalonia, our teaching model keeps being persecuted by the Spanish government and courts of justice, while in France, the use of Catalan in North Catalonia is constantly being obstructed. France needs to make Catalan official and reopen the border crossings between Catalonia and North Catalonia and stop abusing the right to freedom of movement we all have as European citizens.
The political conflict in Catalonia continues, as well as the rights abuses, and no solution has been offered. Catalan representatives are still in exile and face jail terms if they return to the Spanish state, and thousands of citizens are awaiting trial for events related to the 2017 independence referendum.
Spain and France claim to be full democracies. The right to self-determination is recognised in article 1 of the United Nations Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. As signatories, both countries should respect that right, yet they don’t.
Catalan grassroots organisations and society take to the streets to show their will and strength whenever required. Now it’s time for our elected representatives to rise to the challenge and work towards Catalonia’s independence.