Catalans form a 400km human chain for independence
35 replies, posted
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Via_catalana.svg/1000px-Via_catalana.svg.png[/img]
[i]Map of the human chain route through Catalonia[/i]
[img]http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/n4ocDYB7_AvwwuFHX14VIg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTQyMTtweG9mZj01MDtweW9mZj0wO3E9ODU7dz03NDk-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/afp.com/photo_1378618767288-1-HD.jpg[/img]
[quote=BBC][b]Supporters of Catalonia's independence from Spain have joined hands to form a 400km (250-mile) human chain across the region in support of their cause.[/b]
Hundreds of thousands of people took part in the event, which comes on Catalonia's national day.
[b]Regional President Artur Mas has been urging Madrid to allow the region a referendum on independence in 2014.
But he has been unable to get the central government's approval for such a vote in the north-eastern region.[/b]
Catalonia - one of Spain's most developed regions - already has a wide degree of autonomy, but the economic crisis has fuelled Catalan nationalism.
Pro-independence feelings go back centuries, and the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s strengthened animosity between Madrid and Barcelona.
[b]Lines of protesters, many wearing the red-and-yellow Catalan flag, stretched from the French border, through the city of Barcelona and south along the coast towards the regional border with Valencia.[/b]
Carme Forcadell, president of the Catalan National Assembly which organised the human chain, called the event "historic".
"The Catalan people have reaffirmed their determination to be a free state,'' he said.
The BBC's Tom Burridge in Barcelona said the human chain was another strong show of popular support in Catalonia for the idea of a vote on independence.
Speaking to reporters before the action, Mr Mas said the drive for independence was entering a "decisive phase".
[b]He later told the BBC that if Madrid continues to block a referendum he will turn regional elections - due in 2016 - into a vote on independence.[/b][/quote]
[url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24052713]Source (BBC News)[/url]
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/Municipis_independencia_1-8-13.png[/img]
[i]Supporting municipalities to the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_Municipalities_for_Independence]Association of Municipalities for Independence[/url] (Wikipedia)[/i]
[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalan_Way]More information about the event on Wikipedia[/url]
It's a country that was integrated with Spain through nobles marrying and shares barely any of the culture and none of the language is spoken there.
They deserve to be their own country. At least Catalonia and parts of Valencia and the Parma island chain.
[editline]11th September 2013[/editline]
And the fact that Spain is just fucking sinking ship and the Catalans are doing quite decently and Spain is just dragging them down and becoming super fucking reliant on them.
[editline]11th September 2013[/editline]
Unemployment rate of 22 million in Spain vs 650k in Catalan areas.
Let the majority of Catalans decide. Hopefully the rest of Spain doesn't do anything rash, since its basically the most valuable region to them.
[QUOTE=Rangergxi;42158785]Let the majority of Catalans decide. Hopefully the rest of Spain doesn't do anything rash, since its basically the most valuable region to them.[/QUOTE]
And it's not even fucking Spanish, ethnically, culturally, linguistically.
The majority of Catalans are for it since they're just constantly shit on by the Spanish when they're the ones holding it up.
Hopefully, if it's the desire of the people, they will get their independence without qualm.
[QUOTE=Paul McCartney;42158715]It's a country that was integrated with Spain through nobles marrying and shares barely any of the culture and none of the language is spoken there.
They deserve to be their own country. At least Catalonia and parts of Valencia and the Parma island chain.
[editline]11th September 2013[/editline]
And the fact that Spain is just fucking sinking ship and the Catalans are doing quite decently and Spain is just dragging them down and becoming super fucking reliant on them.
[editline]11th September 2013[/editline]
Unemployment rate of 22 million in Spain vs 650k in Catalan areas.[/QUOTE]
Wouldn't the unemployment be better given as a percentage...?
[QUOTE=kurry;42159045]Wouldn't the unemployment be better given as a percentage...?[/QUOTE]
it would, since Catalan's unemployment rate is 22.6%
I prefer the name Aragon.
damn that's 2/3 of the baltic way human chain
nice to see them fighting for their self-determination.
I'm really hoping they get independence, Catalan has a long history of worker-owned industry and agriculture and decentralized government; they might actually have a chance to blossom if they are independent.
[QUOTE=Paul McCartney;42158715]Unemployment rate of 22 million in Spain vs 650k in Catalan areas.[/QUOTE]
That's not a rate
Viva La Revolution
Eh, cataluña's an alrightish place, although I guess they should get indipendence if they want it.
[editline]11th September 2013[/editline]
Also, I noticed the chain reached into valencia aswell, do they support independence or something?
[QUOTE=Sobotnik;42159152]I prefer the name Aragon.[/QUOTE]
Aragon is a better name but, different places. That place with Fraga is Aragon.
Sorry if this sounds stupid, but if its not spanish then what language is spoken in Barcelona?
[QUOTE=Atlascore;42159521]Catalan.[/QUOTE]
Well, serves me right for not using google.
[QUOTE=_Kent_;42159518]Sorry if this sounds stupid, but if its not spanish then what language is spoken in Barcelona?[/QUOTE]
Catalan.
near where I live, there is a restaurant run by a Catalan. I, of course with no bad intentions, when I met him asked him "are you from spain?"....I can't describe how kinda angry and upset he got. He answered "No no no, I'm catalan"
Hell, my uncle who once went to barcelona in order to continue his studies and do some business, told me they refused to speak to him in Spanish. He had to learn basic Catalan in order to progress.
I wonder if the future of Europe is this but with all the other countries. Something akin to this happens in Belgium, am I rite?
the language differences are just astonishing
i remember meeting this spanish girl and talking to her in portuguese, while she replied in spanish and we both understood each other
then this dude from cataluña starts speaking and i'm like the fuck is this guy on
[QUOTE=Zukriuchen;42159553]the language differences are just astonishing
i remember meeting this spanish girl and talking to her in portuguese, while she replied in spanish and we both understood each other
then this dude from cataluña starts speaking and i'm like the fuck is this guy on[/QUOTE]
AHA! I knew your compatriots were making fun of me when I went to Brazil and spoke to them in Spanish. Their face didn't show it, but I KNEW, YES I KNEW they undertsood me
[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;42158923]Hopefully, if it's the desire of the people, they will get their independence without qualm.[/QUOTE]
unlikely. catalonia has existed as a nation, and had an independent cultural identity for centuries. the spanish seem pretty interested in keeping catalonia a part of spain and will probably never let the nation declare independence without a significantly stronger and more active independence movement(or an independence war).
[QUOTE=yawmwen;42161132]unlikely. catalonia has existed as a nation, and had an independent cultural identity for centuries. the spanish seem pretty interested in keeping catalonia a part of spain and will probably never let the nation declare independence without a significantly stronger and more active independence movement(or an independence war).[/QUOTE]
I doubt a war for independence is likely.
[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ETA]Yes, because we all know how well independence movements go in Iberia.[/url]
[QUOTE=Coffee;42163032][url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ETA]Yes, because we all know how well independence movements go in Iberia.[/url][/QUOTE]
Completely different group and region. Catalans have shown no signs of violence.
See Spain, you can't even look after [I]your[/I] territories. How on earth will you handle Gibraltar?
[QUOTE=Sgt-NiallR;42163728]See Spain, you can't even look after [I]your[/I] territories. How on earth will you handle Gibraltar?[/QUOTE]
[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_War_of_Independence]I can't hear you over the sound of territories rebelling[/url]
[QUOTE=Cutthecrap;42159536]Catalan.
near where I live, there is a restaurant run by a Catalan. I, of course with no bad intentions, when I met him asked him "are you from spain?"....I can't describe how kinda angry and upset he got. He answered "No no no, I'm catalan"
Hell, my uncle who once went to barcelona in order to continue his studies and do some business, told me they refused to speak to him in Spanish. He had to learn basic Catalan in order to progress.
I wonder if the future of Europe is this but with all the other countries. Something akin to this happens in Belgium, am I rite?[/QUOTE]
If Belgium dissolves, the northern part might join the Netherlands or become indepedent and Wallonia might join France or become indepedent.
[QUOTE=Valiantttt;42163901]If Belgium dissolves, the northern part might join the Netherlands or become indepedent and Wallonia might join France or become indepedent.[/QUOTE]
Flanders would never join the Netherlands :v: It makes as much sense now as the Netherlands joining Germany.
[editline]12th September 2013[/editline]
[QUOTE=Cutthecrap;42159536]I wonder if the future of Europe is this but with all the other countries. Something akin to this happens in Belgium, am I rite?[/QUOTE]
I think what's going to happen is that more territories will become more autonomous as a counterreaction to the massive centralisation that happened in the 18th and 19th centuries, but I don't think complete independence is likely.
[QUOTE=deltasquid;42163912]Flanders would never join the Netherlands :v: It makes as much sense now as the Netherlands joining Germany.
[editline]12th September 2013[/editline]
I think what's going to happen is that more territories will become more autonomous as a counterreaction to the massive centralisation that happened in the 18th and 19th centuries, but I don't think complete independence is likely.[/QUOTE]
There is a very small possibility(read it somewhere) but either it is that or becoming indepedent, almost nothing else can happen.
[QUOTE=Valiantttt;42163930]There is a very small possibility(read it somewhere) but either it is that or becoming indepedent, almost nothing else can happen.[/QUOTE]
That very small possibility was shot down in 1939, really, when anyone who wanted Flanders to join the Netherlands was seen as a nazi because it was usually linked with "And let's join Germany while we're at it too"
Nobody actually wants to join the Netherlands now, at least not in Flanders. If you were to poll people about it, maybe 10% would say that they wouldn't really mind but they don't care either way.
And remember, although the strongest party in Flanders right now is running on a "we want a confederacy" platform, the majority of parties and voters are perfectly content with fixing the economy first and finishing what we started when we went with a federation. It's too early to yell for confederation when we've only finished half of the 5th reform and still need to start the 6th one to become a federation.
[QUOTE=Paul McCartney;42158715]It's a country that was integrated with Spain through nobles marrying and shares barely any of the culture and none of the language is spoken there.
They deserve to be their own country. At least Catalonia and parts of Valencia and the Parma island chain.
[editline]11th September 2013[/editline]
And the fact that Spain is just fucking sinking ship and the Catalans are doing quite decently and Spain is just dragging them down and becoming super fucking reliant on them.
[editline]11th September 2013[/editline]
Unemployment rate of 22 million in Spain vs 650k in Catalan areas.[/QUOTE]
Stop lying.
1º "It's a country that was integrated with Spain through nobles marrying". Aragon crown exist well before "Catalonia", the only independent territory was Barcelona "ciudad condal" (motto) which means "county city", the rest was part of Aragon.
2º "shares barely any of the culture and none of the language is spoken there". This is unbeliable, we shared the same culture since pre-romans times (Iberians, Celts, Romans, Visigoths, Arabians...), for the love of god. Do you think there was a magic barrier beetwen tarraco and the rest of iberia? The same for the next two milleniums until now. do you know that almost 80% of catalonians are either from Andalusia or Aragon? And yeah, no one speaks spanish in Catalonia.... sure. (95% are billingual).
3º "And the fact that Spain is just fucking sinking ship and the Catalans are doing quite decently and Spain is just dragging them down and becoming super fucking reliant on them." Do you know that Catalonia has the highest debt (by large) from all Spain?
[IMG]http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/EI-BV518_spain_G_20120828132703.jpg[/IMG]
4º"Unemployment rate of 22 million in Spain vs 650k in Catalan areas." This is the final lulz. Spain's labour force is 22.9 millions. So according to your facts, we have a 96,06% of unemployment now? Spain's unemployment rate is around 26,5%, in Catalonia is 24,5%.
I'm all in for a Republic country, with federal states, but please, check your facts about Catalonia and Spain. Because Spain is not North Korean 2.0 and Catalonia is not Norway 2.0
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