The centre of Barcelona, especially thoroughfares passeig de Gràcia and carrer d'Aragó, but also many surrounding streets, are filled with hundreds of thousands of people clamouring in favour of the upcoming independence referendum for the huge rally organised by the pro-independence organisation ANC (Catalan National Assembly), Òmnium Cultural and the AMI (Association of Municipalities for Independence).
An hour before the official start of the demonstration, the crossroads where Gràcia and Aragó meet was completely full with people, the majority wearing the official t-shirt and waving pro-independence starred estelada flags. The streets leading away in all four directions, the branches of the symbolic plus sign, had filled by half past three this afternoon. The plus sign, which the organisers say symbolises the opportunities of the possible new independent state, has been divided into 48 sections, each assigned to a different Catalan county. Almost half a million people registered in advance, but many more have attended on the day. The atmosphere is festive, with many families and children.
For the sixth year running, this time just three weeks before the independence referendum and with a strong offensive from the Spanish state against the laws passed by the Catalan parliament last week, thousands and thousands of people have brought the centre of the Catalan capital to a stand still with one clear intention: to defend the right to vote on 1st October and to defend the 'yes' vote.
The city has welcomed more than 1800 coaches which have brought demonstrators from all over Catalonia and historical Catalan territories, like Perpignan in the south of France, from where 3 coaches of north Catalans have arrived. This while it's still unclear whether Barcelona City Council will provide its citizens the opportunity to vote. Mayor Ada Colau has said that she will do "everything possible" for them to vote, but hasn't specified what that entails, and just days ago sent a letter to Catalan president Puigdemont asking for assurances over the protection for the vote and those involved in its organisation.
State offensive against the referendum
This year's Diada or Catalan National Day arrives as the Spanish state is putting into action a whole series of initiatives aimed at avoiding the referendum, starting by using the resources of the Constitutional Court and continuing with cases opened by the Public Prosecutor and employing the Civil Guard, who in the last few days have searched a printing house and weekly newspaper El Vallenc.
The rally this 11th September is a new show of strength by the independence movement, designed also to show the world that the push for sovereignty isn't getting scared with just days to go before the 1st October vote and in the middle of a judicial battle started by the central government to prevent it.