Catalonia: the day that changed everything

A year ago in Catalonia, the separatists were blocking a referendum for self-determination banned by the government. It all started with a long night of demonstrations and school occupations. In the early morning, the Generalitat (political organization of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia) proclaims a universal census to allow more than five million citizens to vote.

National Police, Civil Guard and Mossos de Escuadra are then deployed to prevent the opening of polling stations. 300 of them will be closed by the police.

The separatists then call the Catalans to go to any school to vote. The first signs of tensions are felt, especially in San Julià de Ramis, where Carles Puigdemont must slip his ballot in the ballot box. Clashes take place between riot police and pro-referendum protesters.

Carles Puigdemont, he changes his place and vote by surprise in Conrellà del Terri, in the province of Girona. Meanwhile, images of police charges are spreading on social networks. About 400 wounded are announced.

The ruling People's Party declares that the Catalan government is solely responsible for the situation. Barcelona mayor Ada Colau replies after the intervention by force of the police, calling Mariano Rajoy a coward.

At the end of the day, the head of government then speaks. "We did not see a referendum of self-determination in Catalonia, we did not attend any type of consultation, but a simple staging Another episode of a strategy against democratic coexistence and legality ", said Mariano Rajoy.

In the separatist ranks, on the other hand, it is proclaimed that Catalonia has won the right to have an independent state.

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