Spain, Catalonia clash as 'illegal' independence referendum nears

The Spanish government has placed Catalan police under its command in another bid to try to block next weekend's independence referendum.

Catalan leaders are calling it an unacceptable interference by Madrid.

Al Jazeera's John Hendren reports from Barcelona.

[pawelhuszcza]

Oh, but it is so nice to support INDEPENDENCE votes in other countries, right? Now eat it :)

[eokii]

If Catalonia wants to leave then let them.

I doubt the EU would let them join anyway as Catalonia joining the EU would only encourage other regions in Europe (like Bavaria in Germany, Scotland in the UK or Flanders in Belgium) to want to secede as well.

In any case, if Catalonia feels they can take care of themselves without Spanish tax payers money then so be it.

[DarioDimitric]

Remember Yugoslavia...Spain you did not support Federation, why not letting peaceful separation, people wants independence

[LA-kcev]

OK. I am really tired now of Cataluna. Ever since the death of Franco? They have their language in the schools. As an American -who speaks about perfect Spanish -living in Spain for 22 years, I found it irritating that in all my trips to Barcelona no one ever spoke or answered me in Castillian -always in Catalan, which I don't speak. They have a kind of supremacy complex that doesn't seem to respect an equal number of their fellow citizens, the rest of the people of Spain, or their -at least as -distinctive histories and cultures. Neither is Spain lacking in 'democracy': if you don't like Rajoy (I don't), get rid of him next time around. Behave..

[RoccosVideos]

The way Spain is handling the referendum makes me realize why Catalonia wants independence. They should have the right to self determination.

[GreyAres]

Like most Spaniards, I am exhausted from this process, although a small part of me supports the right to choose from the people, for me, in the European context, in the context of globalization and in the context of my country Spain where, let me point out, there is no oppression of any kind (we are a modern European state for chr ...) and the Catalans and other Spanish territories have more autonomy than most member states of federal entities... Well XD It´s just crazy.
I will not talk about history, at this point the debate is too subjective.
I will not talk about how a separation would destroy the economy of the two countries for decades, or how it would deteriorate the European project in which I believe. I will not try to understand what may happen in the minds of these people who seem delighted to despise the rest of the nation ...
So far it's just my opinion.
BUT I can say one thing without fear of being wrong, what is in those ships is not occupation troops, nor special forces. They are only ordinary policemen who have incredibly decided to enforce the constitution that binds all Spaniards (and in which obviously Catalan politicians participated).
That, people of Al Jazeera English, is a lie.

[gatogate]

Catalonia is one amongst other regions in Spain. The Spanish intervention is necesary as The Catalonian Independentist Party has basically overtook Catalonia. Not all Catalan people are involved in this charade.

[johnbeardsley]

Catalunya has referendums all the time. This time the Madrid government resists too much ! The Catalans will surely separate now !
Que viva Catalunya libre ! And one of the more productive and prosperous regions of the Iberian peninsula becomes independent of Spain, AND THE EU !
The EU rulers do not want any secession and split of their union.
Send about 100, 000 NATO troops down there to ´maintain peace.'

[alexbezdicek]

stop quoting "illegal", it is illegal. Stop saying that one part of Catalonia represent all Catalonia. You're misinforming

[pabloardevol]

What u don't know is that there are lots of people in Catalonia who dont want independence. Viva españa!!!!

[tellingfoxtales]

Maybe Spain could have changed this, but through using violence rather than argument they've condemned themselves to lose their richest province, and serves them right.

[blockchainbot.]

Catalonia belong to Spain today and forever.































/s.

[gatogate]

Spain has not been used physical force yet. Some people demostrators have against agents and police cars.

[edjouvladimirovich]

OCTOBER 1st CATALAN INDEPENDENCE DAY !!! Adios Rajoy y Felipe :))

[amenostalgique]

Why do you even need a physical ballot ? Use blockchain.

[ibmvietnam]

Viet nam airlines 10 - 8 software corporations 10987654321 10987654321

[ibmvietnam]

Viet nam airlines 10 - 8 type machines

[chicano_travels]

Let em have it ! Theyll join the EU and just be another state.

[Iwantmilk]

Make me your leader
I won't make any law it will be freedom