Voting day in Catalonia

These flags can be seen hanging off of balconies in some parts of Seville. This is the Catalan flag showing support for the separatist movement in northeastern Spain, centred on Barcelona. Catalonia is voting today on a referendum to separate from Spain.

Yesterday we saw a number of people walking around wearing flags like this fellow. It's a controversial referendum because Spain has declared it an illegal vote. But people in Catalonia are determined to make their voices heard. Voting stations are set up in schools and colleges and people are advised to use passive resistance if the vote is not allowed. Long lineups formed at polling stations overnight and this morning things are unfolding. 

Here's what the Guardian says about the vote: 

Spain is bracing itself for an unprecedented challenge to its territorial unity as the Catalan regional government stages an independence referendum that has been suspended by the country’s constitutional court and dealt a series of devastating blows by the central government in Madrid. The Catalan government has predicted that 60% of Catalonia’s 5.3 million eligible voters are heading to the polls in defiance of the Spanish government and constitutional court, which have declared the vote illegal.

After a tumultuous 10 days in which Catalan government officials have been arrested, referendum websites blocked and millions of ballot papers seized, the Spanish government said it was confident it had dismantled the electoral apparatus.

This morning we are watching on TV as the Spanish police, the Guardia de Seville, in riot gear are going into the schools and taking away the voting boxes. Police have been ordered not to use force but to stop the vote from happening. People are gathering, holding their votes in their hand and pushing the police back. Things are very tense in Barcelona. Apparently the police have shut down the internet there. It's a difficult time for the country, although from reactions here in Seville this morning you wouldn't know it.

If you want more information on what's at issue, read about it in this article fromThe Guardian. Catalonia Independence Referendum

Later:  During the afternoon we saw reports that over 400 people were injured in clashes with the police in Barcelona. Last night we went out to get a bite to eat and as soon as we opened the door we heard the noise of a large crowd. When we turned the corner we saw this gathering of hundreds of people on the steps of the Metropole Parasol, waving Catalan flags and chanting and singing. Obviously people in Seville are upset at what happened in Barcelona this afternoon. This is not going to be easily glossed over by the Spanish government.