:Catalan independence movement

File:Reinos Antiguo Régimen.svg

The Principality of Catalonia was a state{{cite book |author1=Ryder, Alan |title=The Wreck of Catalonia. Civil War in the Fifteenth Century |year=2007 |page=v |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-920736-7 |quote=This group of states comprised the kingdoms of Aragon, Valencia, and Majorca, the principality of Catalonia, and the counties of Roussillon and Cerdagne; further afield it embraced the kingdoms of Sicily and Sardinia. These states had no common institutions or bonds save allegiance to a common sovereign}}{{cite book |author=Chandler, Cullen J. |title=Carolingian Catalonia: Politics, Culture, and Identity in an Imperial Province, 778–987 |year=2019 |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=22 |quote=The region is only unique in its later statehood and conjunction with the kingdom of Aragon in the high Middle Ages, while other former Carolingian territories were eventually reabsorbed by the French crown.}} of the composite monarchy known as Crown of Aragon. The Principality was the result of the absortion or vassalization by the County of Barcelona of the other Catalan counties (such as the counties of Girona, Osona, Urgell or Rousillon), while the Crown was created by the dynastic union of the County of Barcelona and the Kingdom of Aragon in 1137. In the late 15th century, Aragon united by marriage with the Crown of Castile to form what would later become the Monarchy of Spain. Initially, the various polities of the Crown of Aragon, including the Principality of Catalonia, kept their own laws and customs, known as Constitutions, equivalent in the other kingdoms to the fueros ({{lang|ca|furs}} in Catalan), and political institutions such as the Catalan Courts and the Generalitat as a guarantee of their sovereignty and jurisdiction,{{cite book|last1=Herr|first1=Richard|title=An Historical Essay on Modern Spain|date=1974|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=9780520025349|page=[https://archive.org/details/historicalessayo0000herr/page/41 41]|url=https://archive.org/details/historicalessayo0000herr/page/41|access-date=11 October 2016|url-access=registration}} for which they fought a civil war during the actual union of the crowns, known as the Catalan Civil War (1462–1472) between foralists and royalists. In 1640, during the Thirty Years War and Franco-Spanish War, Catalan peasants and institutions revolted, starting the Reapers' War. The following year, the Catalan government seceded, establishing the independence of the Principality as a Catalan Republic, called France for protection and finally named Louis XIII count of Barcelona. After a decade of war, the Spanish Monarchy counter-attacked in 1652 and recovered Barcelona and the rest of Catalonia, except for Roussillon, which was annexed by France. Catalonia retained its Constitutions.{{cite book|last1=Guibernau |first1=Montserrat |title=Catalan Nationalism: Francoism, Transition and Democracy |date=2004 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1134353262 |page=30 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H0p-AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA30 |access-date=11 October 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527013040/https://books.google.com/books?id=H0p-AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA30 |archive-date=27 May 2016 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/catalonia-revolt-1640-1652|title=Catalonia, Revolt of (1640–1652)|website=Encyclopedia.com|access-date=14 October 2017}}

During the War of Spanish Succession, most of the territories of the Crown of Aragon, including the Principality of Catalonia, fiercely supported Archduke Charles, the Habsburg contender,{{cite journal|last1=Alcoberro|first1=Agustí|title=The War of the Spanish Succession in the Catalan-speaking Lands|journal=Catalan Historical Review|date=October 2010|volume=3|issue=3|url=http://revistes.iec.cat/index.php/CHR/article/view/37024}} who swore the Catalan constitutions, against the Bourbon contender,{{cite book|last1=Strubell|first1=Miquel|editor1-last=Keown|editor1-first=Dominic|title=A Companion to Catalan Culture|date=2011|publisher=Tamesis Books|isbn=978-1855662278|page=126|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VNyocuVg5m0C&pg=PA126|access-date=6 October 2017|chapter=The Catalan Language}} who would later abolish the Catalan constitutions and political institutions through the Nueva Planta Decrees. The Habsburgs' English allies withdrew from the war with the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, and shortly thereafter, Habsburg troops were evacuated from Italy and from Spain. This left the Catalan government isolated, but it remained loyal to Charles and unilaterally declared the war to Philip V and the Kingdom of France. After a 14-month siege, Barcelona capitulated to a Bourbon army on 11 September 1714. 11 September, the date of the fall of Barcelona, was commemorated by Catalan nationalists from 1886,{{cite book|last1=Crameri|first1=Kathryn|title=Catalonia: National Identity and Cultural Policy, 1980–2003|date=2008|publisher=University of Wales Press|isbn=978-0708320136|page=160|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qd4jAQAAIAAJ&q=1886|access-date=6 October 2017}} and in the 20th century it was chosen as the National Day of Catalonia.{{cite book|last1=Balcells|first1=Albert|title=Catalan Nationalism: Past and Present|date=1996|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-1349242788|page=15|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=trKvCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA15|access-date=6 October 2017}}

After the War of the Spanish Succession, based on the political position of the Count-Duke of Olivares and the absolutism of Philip V, the assimilation of the Crown of Aragon by the Castilian Crown through the Nueva Planta decrees was the first step in the creation of the Spanish nation-state, with a centralised Spanish government. Like other contemporary European states, political union is the first step in the creation of the Spanish nation-state, in this case not on a uniform ethnic basis, but through the imposition of the political and cultural characteristics of the dominant ethnic group. in this case the Castilians, over those of other ethnic groups, become national minorities to be assimilated.{{cite book |last=Sales Vives |first=Pere |title=L'Espanyolització de Mallorca: 1808–1932 |date=2020-09-22 |publisher=El Gall editor |isbn=9788416416707 |pages=422 |language=ca}}Antoni Simon, [http://roderic.uv.es/handle/10550/34591 Els orígens històrics de l'anticatalanisme], páginas 45-46, L'Espill, nº 24, Universitat de València In fact, since the political unification of 1714, Spanish assimilation policies towards Catalan-speaking territories (Catalonia, Valencia, the Balearic Islands, part of Aragon) and other national minorities have been a historical constant.{{cite book |last=Mayans Balcells |first=Pere |title=Cròniques Negres del Català A L'Escola |year=2019 |isbn=978-84-947201-4-7 |edition=del 1979 |pages=230 |publisher=Edicions del 1979 |language=ca}}{{cite book |last=Lluís |first=García Sevilla |title=Recopilació d'accions genocides contra la nació catalana |publisher=Base |year=2021 |isbn=9788418434983 |pages=300 |language=ca}}{{cite book |last=Bea Seguí |first=Ignaci |title=En cristiano! Policia i Guàrdia Civil contra la llengua catalana |publisher=Cossetània |year=2013 |isbn=9788490341339 |pages=216 |language=ca}}{{cite web |title=Enllaç al Manifest Galeusca on en l'article 3 es denuncia l'asimetria entre el castellà i les altres llengües de l'Estat Espanyol, inclosa el català. |url=http://www.escriptors.cat/pagina.php?id_text=1788 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719071429/http://www.escriptors.cat/pagina.php?id_text=1788 |archive-date=2008-07-19 |access-date=2008-08-02}}

File:Mapa_político_de_España,_1850.jpg; Assimilated Spain: territories from the former Crown of Aragon, including most Catalan-speaking areas; Foral Spain, which includes the Basque-speaking territories; and Colonial Spain, with the remaining colonial territories for that year.]]

It begins with secret instructions to the corregidores of the Catalan territory: "will take the utmost care to introduce the Castilian language, for which purpose he will give the most temperate and disguised measures so that the effect is achieved, without the care being noticed",{{cite book |last=de la Cierva |first=Ricardo |title=Historia general de España: Llegada y apogeo de los Borbones |date=1981 |publisher=Planeta |isbn=8485753003 |pages=78 |language=ca}} and from there the actions, discreet or aggressive, are continued, and reach the last detail, such as, in 1799, the Royal Certificate prohibiting "represent, sing and dance pieces that were not in Spanish." These nationalist policies, sometimes very aggressive,{{cite book |last=Sobrequés Callicó |first=Jaume |title=Repressió borbònica i resistència identitària a la Catalunya del segle XVIII |date=2021-01-29 |publisher=Departament de Justícia de la Generalitat de Catalunya |isbn=978-84-18601-20-0 |page=410 |language=ca}}{{cite book |last=Ferrer Gironès |first=Francesc |title=La persecució política de la llengua catalana |year=1985 |isbn=978-8429723632 |edition=62 |page=320 |publisher=Edicions 62 |language=ca}}{{cite book |last=Benet |first=Josep |title=L'intent franquista de genocidi cultural contra Catalunya |date=1995 |publisher=Publicacions de l'Abadia de Montserrat |isbn=84-7826-620-8 |language=ca}}{{cite book |last=Llaudó Avila |first=Eduard |title=Racisme i supremacisme polítics a l'Espanya contemporània |date=2021 |publisher=Parcir |isbn=9788418849107 |edition=7th |location=Manresa}} and still in forces,{{cite web |title=Novetats legislatives en matèria lingüística aprovades el 2018 que afecten els territoris de parla catalana |url=https://www.plataforma-llengua.cat/media/upload/pdf/novetats_legislatives_en_materia_linguistic02_1571310685.pdf |publisher=Plataforma per la llengua}}{{cite web |title=Novetats legislatives en matèria lingüística aprovades el 2019 que afecten els territoris de parla catalana |url=https://plataforma-llengua.cat/media/upload/arxius/ambits-treball/Drets%20Ling%C3%BC%C3%ADstics/Novetats_legislatives_en_mat%C3%A8ria_ling%C3%BC%C3%ADstic-2019-ok.pdf |publisher=Plataforma per la llengua}}{{cite web |date=2019 |title=Comportament lingüístic davant dels cossos policials espanyols |url=https://www.plataforma-llengua.cat/media/upload/pdf/linguisticcossospolicials_1576579756.pdf |publisher=Plataforma per la llengua}}{{cite conference |last=Moreno Cabrera |first=Juan Carlos |title=L'espanyolisme lingüístic i la llengua comuna |url=https://www.cicac.cat/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Espanyolisme_ling%C3%BC%C3%ADstic_Juan-Carlos-Moreno.pdf |language=ca |publisher=Ponència del Consell de l'advocacia de Catalunya |book-title=VIII Jornada sobre l'Ús del Català a la Justícia}} have been and still are the seed of repeated territorial conflicts within the State.

Although since its loss there were claims to recover the Constitutions, the beginnings of separatism in Catalonia can be traced back to the mid–19th century. The Renaixença (cultural renaissance), which aimed at the revival of the Catalan language and Catalan traditions, led to the development of Catalan nationalism and a desire for self-government, through a Spanish federal republic or even the independence.{{cite book|last1=Mar-Molinero|first1=Clare|last2=Smith|first2=Angel|title=Nationalism and the Nation in the Iberian Peninsula: Competing and Conflicting Identities|date=1996|publisher=Bloomsbury Academic|isbn=978-1859731802|page=194|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j5mFAAAAMAAJ&q=cultural+renaissance+1833+1885|access-date=27 September 2016|quote=...which had started with a cultural renaissance (Renaixença) between 1833-1885...}}{{cite book|last1=Holguin|first1=Sandy Eleanor|title=Creating Spaniards: Culture and National Identity in Republican Spain|date=2002|publisher=Univ of Wisconsin Press|isbn=978-0299176341|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=upTAzGZGMIcC&pg=PA37|access-date=27 September 2016|quote=What began as a cultural renaissance in the 1840s, ended as a growing call for political autonomy and, eventually, independence}} Between the 1850s and the 1910s, some individuals,{{cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=940DE6D61538EE3BBC4F53DFBF66838F649FDE |title=Spanish Affairs: The Republicans of Spain (letter) |newspaper=The New York Times |date=7 September 1854 |access-date=2015-05-31}} organisations{{cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9A0CEFD81030E533A25750C0A96E9C94679FD7CF |title=Current Foreign Topics |newspaper=The New York Times |date=3 August 1886 |access-date=2015-05-31}} and political parties{{cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9801E6D9123BE03ABC4052DFB066838C609EDE |title=Spanish Province Talks Secession: Catalonia, Aroused Against Madrid, Is Agitating for Complete Independence |newspaper=The New York Times |date= 18 June 1917|access-date=2015-05-31}} started demanding full independence of Catalonia from Spain.

File:Proclamació Segona República Francesc Macià. Amadeu Aragay. 14 abril 1931.jpg, leader of ERC and President of Catalonia between 1931 and 1933, proclaiming the Catalan Republic on 14 April 1931]]

The first pro-independence political party in Catalonia was Estat Català (Catalan State), founded in 1922 by Francesc Macià.{{cite book|last1=Romero Salvadó|first1=Francisco J.|title=Historical Dictionary of the Spanish Civil War|date=2013|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-0810857841|page=123|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wsE7Nm9-yDEC&pg=PA123|access-date=12 October 2016}} Estat Català went into exile in France during the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera (1923–1930), launching an unsuccessful uprising from Prats de Molló in 1926.{{cite book|last1=Harrington|first1=Thomas|editor1-last=Moraña|editor1-first=Mabel|title=Ideologies of Hispanism|date=2005|publisher=Vanderbilt University Press|isbn=978-0826514721|page=124|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TzHIWtvQbLsC&pg=PA124|access-date=12 October 2016|chapter=Rapping on the Cast(i)le Gates: Nationalism and Culture-planning in Contemporary Spain}} In March 1931, following the overthrow of Primo de Rivera, Estat Català joined with the Partit Republicà Català (Catalan Republican Party) and the political group L'Opinió (Opinion) to form Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (Republican Left of Catalonia; ERC), with Macià as its first leader.{{cite book|last1=Lluch|first1=Jaime|title=Visions of Sovereignty: Nationalism and Accommodation in Multinational Democracies|date=2014|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press|isbn=978-0812209617|page=50|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QcNKBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA50|access-date=12 October 2016}} The following month, the ERC achieved a spectacular victory in the municipal elections that preceded the 14 April proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic.{{cite book|last1=Conversi|first1=Daniele|title=The Basques, the Catalans and Spain: Alternative Routes to Nationalist Mobilisation|date=2000|publisher=University of Nevada Press|isbn=978-0874173628|pages=38–9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wwSve0Mb0ocC&pg=PA38|access-date=12 October 2016}} Macià proclaimed a Catalan Republic on 14 April, but after negotiations with the provisional government he was obliged to settle for autonomy, under a revived Generalitat of Catalonia.{{cite book|last1=Costa Carreras|first1=Joan|last2=Yates|first2=Alan|editor1-last=Costa Carreras|editor1-first=Joan|title=The Architect of Modern Catalan: Pompeu Fabra (1868–1948)|date=2009|publisher=John Benjamins Publishing|isbn=978-9027232649|page=20|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BKvQg1323YkC&pg=PA20|access-date=12 October 2016|chapter=The Catalan Language}} Catalonia was granted a statute of autonomy in 1932, which lasted until the Spanish Civil War. In 1938, General Franco abolished both the Statute of Autonomy and the Generalitat.

A section of Estat Català which had broken away from the ERC in 1936 joined with other groups to found the Front Nacional de Catalunya (National Front of Catalonia; FNC) in Paris in 1940.{{cite book|last1=Güell Ampuero|first1=Casilda|title=The Failure of Catalanist Opposition to Franco (1939–1950)|date=2006|publisher=Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas|isbn=978-8400084738|pages=71–2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qC-RtdPIvzIC&pg=PA71|access-date=12 October 2016}} The FNC declared its aim to be "an energetic protest against Franco and an affirmation of Catalan nationalism". Its impact, however, was on Catalan exiles in France rather than in Catalonia itself.{{cite book|last1=Dowling|first1=Andrew|title=Catalonia Since the Spanish Civil War: Reconstructing the Nation|date=2013|publisher=Sussex Academic Press|isbn=978-1782840176|page=152|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=efNWAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA152|access-date=12 October 2016}} The FNC in turn gave rise to the Partit Socialista d'Alliberament Nacional (Socialist Party of National Liberation; PSAN), which combined a pro-independence agenda with a left-wing stance.Lluch (2014), p. 51 A split in the PSAN led to the formation of the Partit Socialista d'Alliberament Nacional - Provisional (Socialist Party of National Liberation – Provisional; PSAN-P) in 1974.Lluch (2014), p. 52

Following Franco's death in 1975, Spain moved to restore democracy. A new constitution was adopted in 1978, which asserted the "indivisible unity of the Spanish Nation", but acknowledged "the right to autonomy of the nationalities and regions which form it".{{cite book|last1=Conversi|first1=Daniele|title=The Basques, the Catalans and Spain: Alternative Routes to Nationalist Mobilisation|date=2000|publisher=University of Nevada Press|isbn=978-0874173628|pages=143–4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wwSve0Mb0ocC&pg=PA143|access-date=16 September 2016}} Independence parties objected to it on the basis that it was incompatible with Catalan self-determination, and formed the Comité Català Contra la Constitució Espanyola (Catalan Committee Against the Constitution) to oppose it. The constitution was approved in a referendum by 88% of voters in Spain overall, and just over 90% in Catalonia.{{cite book|last1=Stepan|first1=Alfred C.|title=Arguing Comparative Politics|date=2001|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0198299974|page=204|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=abIXfvcF3XcC&pg=PA204|access-date=17 September 2016}} It was followed by the Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia of 1979, which was approved in a referendum, with 88% of voters supporting it.Conversi (2000), p. 145 This led to the marginalisation or disappearance of pro-independence political groups, and for a time the gap was filled by militant groups such as Terra Lliure.Lluch (2014), p. 53

In 1981, a manifesto issued by intellectuals in Catalonia claiming discrimination against the Castilian language, drew a response in the form of published letter, {{lang|ca|Crida a la Solidaritat en Defensa de la Llengua, la Cultura i la Nació Catalanes}} ("Call for Solidarity in Defence of the Catalan Language, Culture and Nation"), which called for a mass meeting at the University of Barcelona, out of which a popular movement arose. The Crida organised a series of protests that culminated in a massive demonstration in the Camp Nou on 24 June 1981.{{cite book|last1=Lluch|first1=Jaime|title=Visions of Sovereignty: Nationalism and Accommodation in Multinational Democracies|date=2014|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press|isbn=978-0812209617|page=57|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QcNKBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA57|access-date=17 September 2016}} Beginning as a cultural organisation, the Crida soon began to demand independence.Conversi (2000), pp. 146–7 In 1982, at a time of political uncertainty in Spain, the {{lang|es|Ley Orgánica de Armonización del Proceso Autonómico}} (LOAPA) was introduced in the Spanish parliament, supposedly to "harmonise" the autonomy process, but in reality to curb the power of Catalonia and the Basque region. There was a surge of popular protest against it. The Crida and others organised a huge rally against LOAPA in Barcelona on 14 March 1982. In March 1983, it was held to be ultra vires by the Spanish Constitutional Court. During the 1980s, the Crida was involved in nonviolent direct action, among other things campaigning for labelling in Catalan only, and targeting big companies. In 1983, the Crida's leader, Àngel Colom, left to join the ERC, "giving an impulse to the independentist refounding" of that party.Lluch (2014), p. 58

In 1992 the police operation known as "Operation Garzón" saw the arrest of 45 Catalan pro-independence activists and politicians on the eve of the Summer Olympics held in Barcelona, under the accusation to be members of Terra Lliure without real proof. 25 of the arrested were kept in solitary confinement. They denounced torture at the hands of the Spanish police{{Cite news |last=Cardús |first=Pere |date=2017-06-29 |title=Ramon Piqué: 'A la sala d'interrogatoris, m'estrenyien la bossa al cap i em feien agenollar' |work=VilaWeb |url=https://www.vilaweb.cat/noticies/ramon-pique-a-la-sala-dinterrogatoris-mestrenyien-la-bossa-al-cap-i-em-posaven-de-genolls-entrevista-operacio-garzon-1992-jocs-olimpics/?f=rel |access-date=2022-11-07}} and threats of violence and rape to them and their families, as well as constant anti-Catalan insults.{{Cite news |last=Redacció |date=2021-07-04 |title=El fill d'un dels independentistes torturats a l'Operació Garzón recorda el relat esfereïdor del seu pare |work=VilaWeb |url=https://www.vilaweb.cat/noticies/el-fill-dun-dels-independentistes-torturats-en-loperacio-garzon-recorda-el-relat-esfereidor-del-seu-pare/ |access-date=2022-11-05}}

File:Manifestació10J-293.JPG in the intersection of Passeig de Gràcia and Aragó Avenues, in Barcelona]]

Following elections in 2003, the moderate nationalist Convergència i Unió (CiU), which had governed Catalonia since 1980, lost power to a coalition of left-wing parties composed of the Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC), the pro-independence Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) and a far-left/Green coalition (ICV–EUiA), headed by Pasqual Maragall. The government produced a draft for a new Statute of Autonomy, which was supported by the CiU and was approved by the parliament by a large majority.{{cite book|last1=Cuadras Morató|first1=Xavier|editor1-last=Cuadras Morató|editor1-first=Xavier|title=Catalonia: A New Independent State in Europe?: A Debate on Secession Within the European Union|date=2016|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1317580553|page=12|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XjEFDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA12|access-date=16 September 2016|chapter=Introduction}} The draft statute then had to be approved by the Spanish parliament, which could make changes; it did so, removing clauses on finance and the language, and an article stating that Catalonia was a nation.{{cite book|last1=Crameri|first1=Kathryn|title='Goodbye, Spain?': The Question of Independence for Catalonia|date=2014|publisher=Sussex Academic Press|isbn=978-1782841630|page=39|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tCjQAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA39|access-date=16 September 2016}} When the amended statute was put to a referendum on 18 June 2006, the ERC, in protest, called for a "no" vote. The statute was approved, but turnout was only 48.9%.Crameri (2014), p. 40 At the subsequent election, the left-wing coalition was returned to power, this time under the leadership of José Montilla.

File:Municipis independencia 1-10-15.png]]

In November 2005, Omnium Cultural organized a meeting of Catalan and Madrid intellectuals in the Círculo de bellas artes in Madrid to show support for ongoing reform of Catalan Statute of Autonomy, which sought to resolve territorial tensions, and among other things better protect the Catalan language. On the Catalan side, a flight was made with one hundred representatives of the cultural, civic, intellectual, artistic and sporting world of Catalonia, but on the Spanish side, except Santiago Carrillo, a politician from the Second Republic, did not attend any more.{{cite web |date=2013-07-26 |title=El suport explícit de la societat civil de Madrid a l'Estatut es limita a Santiago Carrillo |url=https://www.vilaweb.cat/noticia/4136130/20130726/suport-explicit-societat-civil-madrid-lestatut-limita-santiago-carrillo.html |access-date=May 1, 2022 |publisher=Vilaweb |language=ca}}{{Cite news |date= 2 November 2005|title=En busca de la "España educada" |url=https://elpais.com/diario/2005/11/03/espana/1130972416_850215.html |newspaper=El País}} The subsequent failure of the statutory reform with respect to its objectives opened the door to the growth of Catalan sovereignty.{{cite web |date=2017-07-10 |title=Fotos – Set anys de la manifestació del 10-J, punt de partida del procés sobiranista |url=https://www.naciodigital.cat/noticia/134582/fotos-set-anys-manifestacio-10-j-punt-partida-proces-sobiranista |access-date=May 1, 2022 |publisher=Nació digital |language=ca}}

The conservative {{lang|es|Partido Popular|italic=no}}, which had opposed the statute in the Spanish parliament, challenged its constitutionality in the Spanish High Court of Justice. The case lasted four years.{{cite book|last1=Guibernau|first1=Montserrat|editor1-last=Seymour|editor1-first=Michel|editor2-last=Gagnon|editor2-first=Alain-G.|title=Multinational Federalism: Problems and Prospects|date=2012|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|isbn=978-0230337114|pages=166–7|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kkrEo72r5UYC&pg=PA166|access-date=16 September 2016|chapter=From Devolution to Secession: the Case of Catalonia}} In its judgement, issued on 18 June 2010, the court ruled that fourteen articles in the statute were unconstitutional, and that 27 others were to be interpreted restrictively. The affected articles included those that gave preference to the Catalan language, freed Catalonia from responsibility for the finances of other autonomous communities, and recognised Catalonia as a nation.Crameri (2014), p. 44 The full text of the judgement was released on 9 July 2010, and the following day a protest demonstration organised by the cultural organisation Òmnium Cultural was attended by over a million people, and led by José Montilla.

During and after the court case, a series of symbolic referendums on independence were held in municipalities throughout Catalonia. The first of these was in the town of Arenys de Munt on 13 September 2009. About 40% of eligible voters participated, of whom 96% voted for independence.{{cite news|last1=Webb |first1=Jason |title=Catalan town votes for independence from Spain |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-spain-catalonia-idUKTRE58C1V320090913 |access-date=16 September 2016 |work=Reuters |date=13 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917082236/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-spain-catalonia-idUKTRE58C1V320090913 |archive-date=17 September 2016 }} In all, 552 towns held independence referendums between 2009 and 2011.{{cite book|last1=Guinjoan|first1=Marc|last2=Rodon|first2=Toni|editor1-last=Cuadras Morató|editor1-first=Xavier|title=Catalonia: A New Independent State in Europe?: A Debate on Secession Within the European Union|date=2016|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1317580553|page=40|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XjEFDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA40|access-date=16 September 2016|chapter=Catalonia at the crossroads: Analysis of the increasing support for secession}} These, together with demonstrations organised by Òmnium Cultural and the Assemblea Nacional Catalana (ANC), represented a "bottom-up" process by which society influenced the political movement for independence. At an institutional level, several municipalities of Catalonia came together to create the Association of Municipalities for Independence, an organisation officially established on 14 December 2011 in Vic which brought local organisations together to further the national rights of Catalonia and promote its right to self-determination.{{Cite news|url=http://www.vic.cat/news/el-ple-municipal-aprova-la-proposta-de-crear-una-associacio-per-promoure-el-dret-a-decidir-de-catalunya |title=El Ple Municipal aprova la proposta de crear una associació per promoure el Dret a Decidir de Catalunya |newspaper=Ajuntament de Vic |date=12 September 2011 |language=ca |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916220131/http://www.vic.cat/news/el-ple-municipal-aprova-la-proposta-de-crear-una-associacio-per-promoure-el-dret-a-decidir-de-catalunya |archive-date=16 September 2013 }} The demonstration of 11 September 2012 explicitly called on the Catalan government to begin the process of secession.Crameri (2014), pp. 48–9 Immediately after it, Artur Mas, whose CiU had regained power in 2010, called a snap election for 25 November 2012, and the parliament resolved that a referendum on independence would be held in the life of the next legislature.Crameri (2014), p. 50 Although the CiU lost seats to the ERC, Mas remained in power.

{{main|Catalan self-determination referendum, 2014}}

File:El President Mas acompanyat d'Oriol Junqueras aquest matí al Parlament.jpg and Oriol Junqueras, signing the 2012–2016 governability agreement on 19 December 2012]]

Mas and ERC leader Oriol Junqueras signed an agreement by which the ERC would support the CiU on sovereignty issues while on other matters it might oppose it. The two leaders drafted the Declaration of Sovereignty and of the Right to Decide of the Catalan People, which was adopted by the parliament at its first sitting in January 2013. The declaration stated that "the Catalan people have, for reasons of democratic legitimacy, the nature of a sovereign political and legal subject", and that the people had the right to decide their own political future.

The Spanish government referred the declaration to the Spanish Constitutional Court, which ruled in March 2014 that the declaration of sovereignty was unconstitutional. The court did not, however, reject the "right to decide", arguing that that right didn't necessarily imply sovereignty or self-determination.{{cite book|last1=Moodrick-Even Khen|first1=Hilly|title=National Identities and the Right to Self-Determination of Peoples|date=2016|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-9004294332|page=49|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mTJRDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA49|access-date=16 September 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribunalconstitucional.es/NotasDePrensaDocumentos/np_2014_026/2013-01389STC.pdf|title=Sentencia del Tribunal Supremo|date=2014-03-25|website=Tribunal Constitucional de España|access-date=2019-11-25}}

On 11 September 2013, an estimated 1.6 million demonstrators formed a human chain, the Catalan Way, from the French border to the regional border with Valencia.Crameri (2014), p. 52

The following month, the CiU, the ERC, the ICV-EUiA and Candidatura d'Unitat Popular (CUP) agreed to hold the independence referendum on 9 November 2014, and that it would ask two questions: "Do you want Catalonia to become a State?" and (if yes) "Do you want this State to be independent?".Guinjoan and Rodon (2016), p. 36 A further mass demonstration, the Catalan Way 2014, took place on 11 September 2014, when protesters wearing the Catalan colours of yellow and red filled two of Barcelona's avenues to form a giant "V", to call for a vote.{{cite news|title=Eying Scotland, Spain Catalans seek secession vote |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/eying-scotland-spain-catalans-seek-secession-vote |access-date=16 September 2016 |work=Washington Examiner |agency=Associated Press |date=11 September 2014 }} Following the Constitutional Court's ruling, the Catalan government changed the vote to a "process of citizen participation" and announced that it would be supervised by volunteers. The Spanish government again appealed to the Constitutional Court, which suspended the process pending the appeal, but the vote went ahead.{{cite book|last1=Field|first1=Bonnie N.|editor1-last=Gillespie|editor1-first=Richard|editor2-last=Gray|editor2-first=Caroline|title=Contesting Spain? The Dynamics of Nationalist Movements in Catalonia and the Basque Country|date=2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1317409489|page=117|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2LYBCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA117|access-date=16 September 2016|chapter=The evolution of sub-state nationalist parties as state-wide parliamentary actors: CiU and the PNV in Spain}} The result was an 81% vote for yes-yes, but the turnout was only 42%, which could be seen as a majority opposed to both independence and the referendum.{{cite book|last1=Duerr|first1=Glen M. E.|title=Secessionism and the European Union: The Future of Flanders, Scotland, and Catalonia|date=2015|publisher=Lexington Books|isbn=978-0739190852|page=108|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SLVnCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA108|access-date=16 September 2016}} Criminal charges were subsequently brought against Mas and others for defying the court order.

File:11-06-17 acte pro referendum a Montjuic 5359.jpg

In June 2015 the CiU broke up as a result of disagreement between its constituent parties – Convergència Democràtica de Catalunya (CDC) and Unió Democràtica de Catalunya (UDC) – over the independence process. Mas's CDC joined with the ERC and other groups to form Junts pel Sí (Together for "Yes"), which announced that it would declare independence if it won the election scheduled for September.{{cite news|last1=Heller |first1=Fernando |title=Catalan separatists send shudders through Madrid |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/catalan-separatists-send-shudders-through-madrid/ |access-date=16 September 2016 |work=EurActiv |date=22 July 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005115326/https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/catalan-separatists-send-shudders-through-madrid/ |archive-date=5 October 2016 }} In the September election, Junts pel Sí and the CUP between them won a majority of seats, but fell short of a majority of votes, with just under 48%.{{cite news|last1=Buck |first1=Tobias |title=Independence parties win in Catalonia but fall short of overall victory |url=https://www.ft.com/content/1f551bec-655a-11e5-9846-de406ccb37f2 |access-date=8 December 2016 |work=Financial Times |date=27 September 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220103722/https://www.ft.com/content/1f551bec-655a-11e5-9846-de406ccb37f2 |archive-date=20 December 2016 }} On 9 November 2015, the parliament passed a resolution declaring the start of the independence process, proposed by Junts pel Sí and the CUP.{{cite news|last1=Buck |first1=Tobias |title=How the Catalonia vote will ramp up tensions with Madrid |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ca99506c-86d5-11e5-90de-f44762bf9896 |access-date=16 September 2016 |work=Financial Times |date=9 November 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409085626/https://www.ft.com/content/ca99506c-86d5-11e5-90de-f44762bf9896 |archive-date=9 April 2017 }} In response, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said that the state would "use any available judicial and political mechanism contained in the constitution and in the laws to defend the sovereignty of the Spanish people and of the general interest of Spain", a hint that he would not stop at military intervention.{{cite news|last1=Simms |first1=Brendan |last2=Guibernau |first2=Montserrat |title=The Catalan cauldron: The prospect of the break-up of Spain poses yet another challenge to Europe |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/world/europe/2016/04/catalan-cauldron |access-date=10 October 2016 |work=New Statesman |date=25 April 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004165812/http://www.newstatesman.com/world/europe/2016/04/catalan-cauldron |archive-date=4 October 2016 }} Following prolonged negotiations between Junts pel Sí and the CUP, Mas was replaced as president by Carles Puigdemont in January 2016. Puigdemont, on taking the oath of office, omitted the oath of loyalty to the king and the Spanish constitution, the first Catalan president to do so.

Further pro-independence demonstrations took place in Barcelona in September 2015, and in Barcelona, Berga, Lleida, Salt and Tarragona in September 2016.

{{main|Catalan declaration of independence|2017 Catalan independence referendum|2017–2018 Spanish constitutional crisis}}

File:El president i els alcaldes entrant al Palau de la Generalitat.jpg and over 700 mayors from Catalonia meeting to support an independence referendum, September 2017]]

In late September 2016, Puigdemont told the parliament that a binding referendum on independence would be held in the second half of September 2017, with or without the consent of the Spanish institutions.{{cite news|last1=Berwick |first1=Angus |last2=Cobos |first2=Tomás |title=Catalonia to hold independence referendum with or without Spain's consent |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-catalonia-idUSKCN11Y2FR |access-date=10 October 2016 |work=Reuters |date=28 September 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011135846/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-catalonia-idUSKCN11Y2FR |archive-date=11 October 2016 }} Puigdemont announced in June 2017 that the referendum would take place on 1 October, and that the question would be, "Do you want Catalonia to become an independent state in the form of a republic?" The Spanish government said in response, "that referendum will not take place because it is illegal."{{cite news|title=Tensions grow in Spain as Catalonia independence referendum confirmed |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/09/tensions-grow-spain-catalonia-independence-referendum-confirmed/ |access-date=17 June 2017 |work=Telegraph |date=9 June 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610022513/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/09/tensions-grow-spain-catalonia-independence-referendum-confirmed/ |archive-date=10 June 2017 }}

A law creating an independent republic—in the event that the referendum took place and there was a majority "yes" vote, without requiring a minimum turnout—was approved by the Catalan parliament in a session on 6 September 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/06/spanish-government-condemns-catalonia-over-independence-referendum|title=Catalonia to hold independence vote despite anger in Madrid| date=6 September 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=20 October 2017|quote=The Catalan government has not set a threshold for minimum turnout, arguing the vote will be binding regardless of the level of participation.}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/06/spanish-government-condemns-catalonia-over-independence-referendum|title=Catalans to celebrate their national day with independence protests|first=Sam|last=Jones|date=10 September 2017|access-date=18 September 2017|website=Theguardian.com}}{{cite news|title=Catalonia's parliament approves law aimed at independence from Spain|url=https://www.efe.com/efe/english/portada/catalonia-s-parliament-approves-law-aimed-at-independence-from-spain/50000260-3372462|access-date=14 October 2017|agency=EFE|date=7 September 2017}} Opposition parties protested against the bill, calling it "a blow to democracy and a violation of the rights of the opposition", and staged a walkout before the vote was taken.{{cite news|last1=Spongenberg|first1=Helena|title=Catalan authorities call independence vote|url=https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/138923|access-date=23 October 2017|work=EUobserver|date=7 September 2017}} On 7 September, the Catalan parliament passed a "transition law", to provide a legal framework pending the adoption of a new constitution, after similar protests and another walkout by opposition parties.{{cite news|title=Catalan Parliament passes transition law|url=http://www.catalannews.com/politics/item/catalan-parliament-passes-transition-law|access-date=23 October 2017|work=Catalan News|date=8 September 2017}}{{cite news|title=Catalan Parliament Passes Bill to Secede from Spain at 1 a.m., after Second Marathon Day in Chamber|url=https://www.thespainreport.com/articles/1106-170908012458-catalan-parliament-passes-bill-to-secede-from-spain-at-1-a-m-after-second-marathon-day-in-chamber|access-date=23 October 2017|work=The Spain Report|date=8 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023174414/https://www.thespainreport.com/articles/1106-170908012458-catalan-parliament-passes-bill-to-secede-from-spain-at-1-a-m-after-second-marathon-day-in-chamber|archive-date=2017-10-23|url-status=dead}} The same day, 7 September, the Spanish Constitutional Court suspended the 6 September law while it considered an appeal from Mariano Rajoy, seeking a declaration that it was in breach of the Spanish constitution, meaning that the referendum could not legally go ahead on 1 October.{{cite news|title=Spain's constitutional court suspends Catalan referendum law: court source|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-politics-catalonia-court/spains-constitutional-court-suspends-catalan-referendum-law-court-source-idUSKCN1BI2TE|access-date=14 October 2017|work=Reuters|date=7 September 2017}}{{cite news|title=Spain Catalonia: Court blocks independence referendum|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41196677|access-date=7 October 2017|work=BBC News|date=8 September 2017}} The law was finally declared void on 17 October{{cite news|title=Spain just declared Catalan referendum law void|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/catalonia-catalan-independence-referendum-spain-constitutional-court-void-a8004941.html|work=The Independent|date=17 October 2017}} and is also illegal according to the Catalan Statutes of Autonomy which require a two-thirds majority in the Catalan parliament for any change to Catalonia's status.{{cite news|title=Catalonia plans an independence vote whether Spain lets it or not|url=https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21724960-prime-minister-mariano-rajoy-says-vote-illegal-and-vows-block-it-catalonia-plans|newspaper=The Economist}}{{cite news|title=Catalan independence referendum|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/law-our-rights/catalan-independence-referendum-1474225|work=The Daily Star|date=10 October 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/ccaa/2017/09/06/catalunya/1504677760_128384.html|title=Las diez claves de la ley del referéndum de Cataluña|first=Pere|last=Ríos|date=6 September 2017|access-date=30 September 2017|newspaper=El País}}

The national government seized ballot papers and cell phones, threatened to fine people who staffed the polling stations up to €300,000, shut down web sites, and demanded that Google remove a voting location finder from the Android app store.{{cite news|last1=Burgen|first1=Stephen|title=Catalonia riven with tension as referendum day arrives|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/30/catalonia-catalunya-independence-referendum-vote|access-date=22 October 2017|work=Guardian|date=30 September 2017}} Police were sent from the rest of Spain to suppress the vote and close polling locations, but parents scheduled events at schools (where polling places are located) over the weekend and vowed to occupy them to keep them open during the vote.Isa Soares, Vasco Cotovio and Laura Smith-Spark, [http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/29/europe/spain-catalonia-independence-campaign/index.html Catalonia on collision course as banned referendum nears], CNN, 29 September 2017 Some election organizers were arrested, including Catalan cabinet officials, while demonstrations by local institutions and street protests grew larger.Camila Domonoske, [https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/09/20/552346891/spanish-police-detain-catalan-politicians-ahead-of-independence-vote Spanish Police Detain Catalan Politicians Ahead Of Independence Vote], NPR, 20 September 2017

The referendum took place on 1 October 2017, despite being suspended by the Constitutional Court, and despite the action of Spanish police to prevent voting in some centres. Images of violence from Spanish riot police beating Catalan voters{{Cite web |title=Referéndum del 1 de octubre en imágenes: entre la violencia y el desafío los catalanes se movilizaron para votar |url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-internacional-41458546 |website=BBC|date=October 2017 }}{{Cite web |title='Bloomberg' destaca como imagen del año la violencia policial del 1-O |url=https://www.elperiodico.com/es/politica/20171227/bloomberg-imagen-2017-violencia-policial-referendum-cataluna-6520222 |website=El Periodico|date=27 December 2017 }} shocked people and human rights organizations{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/10/12/spain-police-used-excessive-force-catalonia|title=Spain: Police Used Excessive Force in Catalonia|date=2017-10-12|website=Human Rights Watch|access-date=2019-08-03}} across the globe and resulted in hundreds of injured citizens according to Catalan government officials.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41461032|title='More than 700 hurt' in Catalonia poll|date=2017-10-01|access-date=2019-08-03}} Some foreign politicians, including the former Belgian Prime-Minister Charles Michel, condemned violence and called for dialogue.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/charlesmichel/status/914455311553040384?lang=ca|title=Violence can never be the answer! We condemn all forms of violence and reaffirm our call for political dialogue #CatalanReferendum #Spain|last=Michel|first=Charles|date=2017-10-01|website=@charlesmichel|access-date=2019-08-03}} According to the Catalan authorities, 90% of voters supported independence, but turnout was only 43%, and there were reports of irregularities.{{cite news|title=Catalonia independence declaration signed and suspended|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41574172|access-date=13 October 2017|work=BBC News|date=10 October 2017}} On 10 October 2017, in the aftermath of the referendum, the President of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, declared the independence of Catalonia but left it suspended. Puigdemont said during his appearance in the Catalan parliament that he assumes, in presenting the results of the referendum, "the people's mandate for Catalonia to become an independent state in the form of a republic", but proposed that in the following weeks the parliament "suspends the effect of the declaration of independence to engage in a dialogue to reach an agreed solution" with the Spanish Government.{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/ccaa/2017/10/10/catalunya/1507616614_461445.html|title=El president catalán Carles Puigdemont declara la independencia en el Parlament, pero la deja en suspenso (The Catalan President Carles Puigdemont declares the independence in the Parliament, but leaves it suspended)|language=es|publisher=El País|date=10 October 2017|access-date=10 October 2017}}

On 25 October 2017, after the Spanish government had threatened to suspend the Catalan autonomy through article 155 of the Spanish constitution, the UN Independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, Alfred de Zayas, deplored the decision to suspend Catalan autonomy, stating "This action constitutes retrogression in human rights protection, incompatible with Articles 1, 19, 25 and 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Pursuant to Articles 10(2) and 96 of the Spanish Constitution, international treaties constitute the law of the land and, therefore, Spanish law must be interpreted in conformity with international treaties."{{Cite web|url=https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22295|title = OHCHR | UN independent expert urges Spanish Government to reverse decision on Catalan autonomy}}

On 27 October 2017 the Catalan Parliament voted in a secret ballot to approve a resolution declaring independence from Spain by a vote of 70–10 in the absence of the constitutionalist deputies, who refused to participate in a vote considered illegal for violating the decisions of the Constitutional Court of Spain.

As a result, the same day (27 October 2017) Article 155 of the Spanish constitution was triggered by the Spanish government; the Catalan government was dismissed and direct rule was imposed from the central government in Madrid.{{cite news|title=Un Parlament semivacío consuma en voto secreto la rebelión contra el Estado|url=http://www.elmundo.es/cataluna/2017/10/27/59f2feafe2704e491b8b48e2.html|access-date=27 October 2017|newspaper=El Mundo|date=27 October 2017|language=es}}{{cite news|title=Los letrados del Parlament advierten de que la votación de la DUI es ilegal|url=http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/3171812/0/letrados-parlament-advierten-votacion-propuesta-dui-ilegal/|access-date=28 October 2017|newspaper=20 minutos|date=27 October 2017|language=es}}{{cite news|title=PPC, PSC y Ciudadanos abandonarán el Parlament si se vota la resolución de Junts pel Sí y la CUP|url=http://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20171027/432386099496/ciudadanos-albiol-no-participaran-votacion-resolucion.html|access-date=28 October 2017|newspaper=La Vanguardia|date=27 October 2017|language=es}}

Under direct rule from Spain, elections were held in Catalonia on 21 December 2017. The three pro-independence parties retained their control of parliament with a reduced majority of 70 seats and a combined 47.5% of valid votes cast. Inés Arrimadas' anti-independence Ciudadanos party was the most voted party with 25.4% of votes, the first time in Catalan history that a non-nationalist party won most votes and seats in an election. Parties which endorsed the suspension of autonomy by central government represented 43.5% of votes cast and parties which did not include independence in their electoral program amounted to 52.5% of the vote, notably Catcomu-Podem (7.5% of votes and 8 seats), which is opposed to independence but supports a legal referendum and denounced the suspension of autonomy.{{cite news|title=Elecciones catalanas|url=https://elpais.com/tag/elecciones_catalanas/a/|access-date=22 December 2017|work=El País|language=es|date=22 December 2017}} The excellent performance of the centre-right parties on both sides of the independence debate, Ciudadanos and Juntxcat, and the underperformance of all other parties (notably, left wing parties and the Partido Popular) were the most significant factor in this election result.

{{main|Trial of Catalonia independence leaders|2019 Catalan protests}}

File:191026 60278 dc (48979567256).jpg

In 2018 some of the independence leaders were sent to preventive detention without bail, accused of crimes of rebellion, disobedience, and misuse of public funds. Carles Puigdemont and four members of his cabinet fled into self-exile.{{cite news |last1=Madrid |first1=Owen Bowcott Sam Jones in |title=Exclusive: Puigdemont vows to lead Catalan government in exile |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/02/exclusive-carles-puigdemont-vows-lead-catalan-government-exile |access-date=9 February 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=2 March 2018}}

Twelve people were tried by the Supreme Court of Spain, including the previous vice president Oriol Junqueras of the regional government and most of the cabinet as well as political activists Jordi Sànchez and Jordi Cuixart and the former Speaker of the Parliament of Catalonia Carme Forcadell. The trial proceedings officially ended on 12 June 2019. A unanimous verdict by the seven judges that tried the case was made public on 14 October 2019. Nine of the 12 accused received prison sentences for the crimes of sedition; of them, four were also found guilty of misuse of public funds. Their sentences ranged from 9 to 13 years. The remaining three accused were found guilty of disobedience and were sentenced to pay a fine but received no prison term. The court dismissed the charges of rebellion. Some of the defendants of the trial have expressed their intention to appeal to the Constitutional Court of Spain and the European Court of Human Rights.{{Cite web|url=https://unpo.org/article/21537|title=UNPO: Catalonia: Spanish Supreme Court to Issue Final Verdict on Catalan Leaders|website=unpo.org|access-date=2019-08-17}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/12/catalan-leaders-did-not-engage-in-rebellion-spanish-court-told|title=Catalan leader defends push for independence on final day of trial|last=Jones|first=Sam|date=2019-06-12|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-08-17|issn=0261-3077}} The verdict delivered by the Supreme Court sparked multiple protests across the region.

Clashes erupted into open violence, as protesters reacted violently at police efforts to end the demonstration, with some demonstrators setting cars on fire and throwing jars of acid at police officers. The Catalan Law Enforcement agency Mossos d'Esquadra, which had previously been accused of aiding the independence movement, replied by firing tear gas at the demonstrators. The pro-independence speaker of the Catalan Parliament condemned the violent incidents and called for peaceful protests against the ruling.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/16/third-night-of-violence-in-barcelona-follows-pro-independence-rally|title=Third night of violence in Barcelona after jailing of Catalan separatists|last=Madrid|first=Stephen Burgen Sam Jones in|date=2019-10-16|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-10-18|issn=0261-3077}} The protests grew larger, as more and more Catalans took to the streets. Some demonstrators attempted to storm buildings belonging to the Spanish Government and clashed with police forces.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50064106|title=Thousands return to streets in Catalonia protests|date=2019-10-15|access-date=2019-10-18}} The Spanish Police announced that 51 protesters had been arrested.{{cite news |title=Spanish PM: we will not be provoked by Catalonia violence |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/16/police-clash-with-catalonia-protesters-in-second-night-of-violence|newspaper=The Guardian|date=2019-10-16}}

On 17 October, the pro-independence President of the Catalan Autonomous government, Quim Torra, called for an immediate halt to violence and disassociated himself from violent protesters, while at the same time calling for more peaceful protests. Nevertheless, the situation in Barcelona had evolved into open street battles between protesters and police, as both violent demonstrators attacked and provoked police forces, and police officers charged peaceful protesters for their proximity to violent ones.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-50077597/catalan-protests-watch-dramatic-street-battles-in-barcelona|title=Watch dramatic street battles in Barcelona|work=BBC News|access-date=2019-10-18}}

Several reports{{Cite news|url=https://www.ultimahora.es/noticias/nacional/2019/10/18/1114315/lluvia-golpes-neonazis-antifascista-barcelona.html|title=Lluvia de golpes de unos neonazis a un antifascista en Barcelona|date=2019-10-18|website=Última Hora|language=es|access-date=2019-10-28}} claim that the protests and subsequent riots had been infiltrated by Neo-Nazis who used the marches as an opportunity to incite violence.

Shortly thereafter, the Catalan President attempted to rally the crowd by stating that he will push for a new independence referendum as large scale protests continued for the fourth day.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50077595|title=Catalan leader pushes for second independence vote|date=2019-10-17|access-date=2019-10-18}}

File:Manifestacio marxes per la llibertat.jpg on 18 October 2019]]

On 18 October, Barcelona became paralyzed, as tens of thousands of peaceful protesters answered the Catalan President's call and rallied in support of the jailed independence leaders.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-50100732/barcelona-paralysed-by-catalonia-protests|title=Demonstrations paralyse Barcelona|work=BBC News|access-date=2019-10-18}} The demonstration grew quickly, with the Barcelona police counting at least 525,000 protesters in the city.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/18/catalonia-general-strike-protests-independence|title=Barcelona: violence erupts after huge rally over jailing of Catalan separatists|last=Madrid|first=Stephen Burgen Sam Jones in|date=2019-10-18|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-10-18|issn=0261-3077}}

By late 18 October, minor trade unions (Intersindical-CSC and {{ill|Intersindical Alternativa de Catalunya|ca}}) linked to pro-independence movement called for a general strike. However, major trade unions (UGT and CCOO) did not endorse the event as well as representatives of the latter contested its very nature as "strike".{{Cite journal|url=https://cronicaglobal.elespanol.com/politica/indignacion-sindical-paro-patronal-no-huelga_284685_102.html|journal=Crónica Global|title=Indignación sindical: es un 'paro patronal', no una huelga|first=Cristina|last=Farrés|date=19 October 2019}} Five peaceful marches converged on Barcelona's city center, essentially bringing the city to a halt. Protesters further blocked the road on the French-Spanish border. At least 20 other major roads were also blocked. Clashes nevertheless took place, with masked protesters confronting riot police by throwing stones and setting alight rubbish bins.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50098268|title=Barcelona hit by fresh clashes amid general strike|date=2019-10-18|access-date=2019-10-18}} 25,000 university students joined in the protest movement by declaring a peaceful student strike.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thelocal.es/20191018/barcelona-protests-general-strike-shuts-down-catalonia|title=Barcelona protests: General strike shuts down Catalonia|date=2019-10-18|website=www.thelocal.es|access-date=2019-10-18}}

As a result of the strike, trains and metro lines saw a reduction to 33% of their usual capacity, while buses saw a reduction to 25–50% of their usual capacity. The roads to the French border remained blocked and all roads leading into Barcelona were also cut. 190 flights in and out of the city were cancelled as a result of the strike. Spanish car manufacturer SEAT further announced a halt in the production of its Martorell plant and most of Barcelona's tourist sites had been closed and occupied by pro-independence demonstrators waving Estelada independence flags and posters with pro-independence slogans. The El Clásico football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF was postponed due to the strike.{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/clasico-between-barcelona-and-real-madrid-postponed-20191019-p5329e.html|title='Clasico' between Barcelona and Real Madrid postponed|date=2019-10-19|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=2019-10-19}}

By the end of the day, just like the previous days, riots developed in the centre of Barcelona. Masked individuals blocked the boulevard close to the city's police headquarters in Via Laetana. Withdrawn to the vicinity of the Plaça Urquinaona, protesters erected barricades setting trash bins in fire and hurled rubble (debris from broken paving stones) and other solid objects at riot policemen.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rtve.es/noticias/20191018/enfrentamientos-entre-manifestantes-agentes-antidisturbios-ante-jefatura-policia-barcelona/1982975.shtml|website=rtve.es|title=Batalla campal por las calles del centro de Barcelona en la quinta jornada de protestas independentistas|date=18 October 2019}} The riot units responded with non-lethal foam and rubber bullets, tear gas and smoke grenades. The Mossos used for the first time the water cannon trunk acquired in 1994 from Israel in order to make way across the barricades.{{Cite journal|journal=La Vanguardia|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20191018/471051109292/mossos-tanqueta-agua-disturbios-barcelona-manifestantes.html|title=Los Mossos utilizan por primera vez la tanqueta de agua para abrir paso entre las barricadas|date=19 October 2019}} The clashes spread to cities outside Barcelona, with Spain's acting interior minister stating that 207 policemen had been injured since the start of the protests, while also noting that 128 people had been arrested by the nation's police forces. Miquel Buch, the Catalan Interior Minister, responsible for public order, and a pro-independence politician, called the violence "unprecedented" and distanced himself from the violent events, instead calling for peaceful protests to continue.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-politics-catalonia-strike-idUSKBN1WX0TY|title=Violent clashes rock Barcelona on fifth day of separatist protests|date=2019-10-18|work=Reuters|access-date=2019-10-18}}

On 19 October, following a fifth consecutive night of violence, Catalan President Quim Torra called for talks between the Catalan independence movement and the Spanish government, adding that violence had never been the "flag" of the independence movement.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/19/catalan-president-calls-for-talks-with-spains-government-after-unrest-quim-torra|title=Catalan president calls for talks with Spain's government after unrest|last=Madrid|first=Stephen Burgen Sam Jones in|date=2019-10-19|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-10-19|issn=0261-3077}} The head of the Spanish Government, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, refused to hold talks with the Catalan government, as it deemed the former had not condemned the violence strongly enough. He further categorically rejected the idea of discussing Catalan Independence, stating that it was impossible under Spanish law.{{Cite news|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-spain-politics-catalonia-idUKKBN1WY0A1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019154757/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-spain-politics-catalonia-idUKKBN1WY0A1|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 October 2019|title=Spanish government dismisses call for Catalan talks; police brace for more unrest|date=2019-10-19|work=Reuters|access-date=2019-10-19}}

In the 2021 regional election, which saw a low turnout due to the COVID-19 pandemic, pro-independence parties won over 50% of the popular vote for the first time, and increased their representation in the parliament from 70 to 74 seats.{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Sam |last2=Burgen |first2=Stephen |title=Catalonia election: pro-independence parties increase majority |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/14/catalonia-regional-election-covid-voting |work=The Guardian |date=15 February 2021}} In June 2021, the nine activists who had been jailed in 2019 were released, having been pardoned by King Felipe VI on the advice of Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez.{{cite news |last1=Baquero |first1=Camilo S. |last2=Congostrina |first2=Alfonso L. |title=Jailed Catalan separatists are released from prison following pardons |url=https://english.elpais.com/spain/catalonia/2021-06-23/jailed-catalan-separatists-released-from-prison-following-pardons.html |work=El País |date=23 June 2021}} In 2024, the Congress of Deputies voted in favour of amnesty for all those involved in the 2017 campaign, including Carles Puigdemont;{{cite news |last1=Hedgecoe |first1=Guy |title=Spain MPs back amnesty law for Catalan separatists |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68562695 |work=BBC News |date=14 March 2024}} despite the law being vetoed by the Senate, it was expected to be enacted by the end of May 2024.{{cite news |title=Spain Amnesty Bill Back To Lower House After Senate Veto |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/spain-amnesty-bill-back-to-lower-house-after-senate-veto-c22698e7 |work=Barron's |agency=Agence France Presse |date=14 May 2024}} On May 30, the Spanish Parliament voted 177 to 172 to pass a bill granting amnesty to hundreds of Catalan secessionists involved in the Catalan declaration of independence from 2011 to 2017.{{cite news |title=Spain passes bill granting amnesty to Catalan secessionists |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/30/spain-passes-bill-granting-amnesty-to-catalan-separatists |work=Al Jazeera |agency=Al Jazeera |date=30 May 2024}}

Junts and the ERC split in October 2022, leaving Pere Aragonès leading a minority government. In March 2024 Aragonès called a snap election after his budget was voted down.{{cite news |title=Catalonia president calls snap elections for May 12 after budget rejected |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240313-catalonia-president-snap-elections-may-12-budget-rejected |work=France 24 |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=13 March 2024}} In that election, the pro-independence parties lost their majority in the parliament for the first time in 10 years. Junts slightly increased their number of seats, but the ERC and CUP lost heavily, meaning the pro-independence were far short of the 68 seats needed to form a government.{{cite news |last1=Doce |first1=Nacho |title=Spain's Socialists win Catalan vote, separatists lose majority |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240512-spain-s-socialists-set-to-win-catalan-vote-separatists-to-lose-majority |work=France 24 |agency=Reuters |date=12 May 2024}}

The parties explicitly campaigning for independence currently represented in the Catalan Parliament are the Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC); the Junts per Catalunya coalition (composed of Crida Nacional per la República, Acció per la República, Els Verds–Alternativa Verda, and splinter elements from the PDeCAT); and the Candidatura d'Unitat Popular (CUP), which included the smaller parties Endavant and Poble Lliure. They obtained 33, 32 and 9 seats, respectively, in the 2021 regional election (a total of 74 out of 135 seats).{{cite news |title=Catalonia Spain: Separatists set to boost majority in regional parliament |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56065763 |work=BBC |date=15 February 2021}} Including those who won no seats, pro-independence parties had an overall share of 51.3% of the popular vote.

Other smaller pro-independence parties or coalitions, without present representation in any parliament, are PDeCAT (formerly called CDC), Catalan Solidarity for Independence, Estat Català, PSAN, and Reagrupament. There are also youth organisations such as Young Republican Left of Catalonia, Arran, La Forja, and the student unions SEPC and FNEC.

File:Mosaic del Concert per la Llibertat.jpg organised by the Catalan National Assembly at Camp Nou, on 29 June 2013]]

File:Only dictatorships jail peaceful political leaders Barcelona Inter (cropped).jpeg match in October 2019]]

From around 2010, support for Catalan independence broadened from being the preserve of traditional left or far-left Catalan nationalism. Relevant examples are the liberal economists Xavier Sala-i-Martín{{cite web|url=http://www.columbia.edu/~xs23/papers/independ%20english.htm |title=Sala-i-Martin's Independence |publisher=Columbia.edu |access-date=2009-11-09 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626024957/http://www.columbia.edu/~xs23/papers/independ%20english.htm |archive-date=2010-06-26 }} and Ramon Tremosa Balcells (elected deputy for CiU in the European parliament in the 2009 election), the lawyer and current FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta{{cite web |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/catala/club/historia/presidents/joanlaporta.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528023050/http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/catala/club/historia/presidents/joanlaporta.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-05-28 |title=Joan Laporta i Estruch (2003–2010) {{pipe}} FCBarcelona.cat |publisher=Fcbarcelona.com |access-date=2012-09-29 }} or the jurist and former member of the Consejo General del Poder Judicial Alfons López Tena.{{cite web|url=http://vilaweb.tv/?video=4948 |title=Alfons López Tena: 'Espanya era el país del meu pare, però no és el meu' |publisher=Vilaweb.tv |access-date=2012-09-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009134014/http://vilaweb.tv/?video=4948 |archive-date=2011-10-09 }}

The Cercle d'Estudis Sobiranistes, a think tank led by the jurists Alfons López Tena and Hèctor López Bofill, was founded in 2007.{{cite news|title=El Cercle d'Estudis Sobiranistes presenta el manifest fundacional per la independència|url=http://www.ccma.cat/324/el-cercle-destudis-sobiranistes-presenta-el-manifest-fundacional-per-la-independencia/noticia/214393/|access-date=28 October 2017|work=TV3|date=10 September 2007}} It affiliated with Solidaritat Catalana per la Independència (Catalan Solidarity for Independence) in 2011.{{cite news|title=El Cercle d'Estudis Sobiranistes esdevé la fundació de Solidaritat|url=https://www.vilaweb.cat/noticia/3954782/20111125/cercle-destudis-sobiranistes-esdeve-fundacio-solidaritat.html|access-date=28 October 2017|work=Vilaweb|date=25 November 2011}}

At the beginning of 2021, Òmnium Cultural published a [https://www.omnium.cat/ca/cinquanta-personalitats-internacionals-reclamen-lamnistia-en-un-manifest-impulsat-per-omnium/ manifesto] to obtain amnesty for Catalan politicians persecuted by the Spanish justice system. Among the signatories are four Nobel Peace Prize winners and several world-renowned personalities such as Yoko Ono Lennon and Dilma Rousseff. The Nobel Peace Prize winners that signed the manifesto are: Jody Williams, Mairead Corrigan, Shirin Ebadi and Adolfo Pérez Esquivel.

Other individuals include:

• Joan Massagué, Catalan scientist, director of the Sloan Kettering Institute.[http://www.elmundo.es/cataluna/2015/09/22/5601340146163f72078b4578.html Joan Massagué o Xavier Estivill, entre los 13 científicos que firman un manifiesto de apoyo a Junts pel Sí] http://www.elmundo.es/cataluna/2015/09/22/5601340146163f72078b4578.html
• Pep Guardiola, Catalan former football player and manager of FC Barcelona and current manager of Manchester City.{{cite news|title=Give Catalonia its freedom to vote – by Pep Guardiola, Josep Carreras and other leading Catalans |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/give-catalonia-its-freedom-by-pep-guardiola-jose-carreras-and-other-leading-catalans-9787960.html |access-date=15 September 2016 |work=Independent |date=10 October 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005114238/http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/give-catalonia-its-freedom-by-pep-guardiola-jose-carreras-and-other-leading-catalans-9787960.html |archive-date=5 October 2016}}
• Jordi Galí, Catalan economist, director of the Centre for Research in International Economics at UPF.
• Manel Esteller, Catalan scientist, director of the Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program of the Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research and editor-in-chief of the peer-reviewed journal Epigenetics.
• Lluís Llach, Catalan composer and songwriter{{cite web|url=http://www.libertaddigital.com/sociedad/lluis-llach-el-camino-espanol-esta-vallado-menos-para-su-fundacion-1276416219/ |title=Lluis Llach: "El camino español está vallado"... menos para su fundación |date=5 March 2011 |publisher=Libertad Digital |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103141453/http://www.libertaddigital.com/sociedad/lluis-llach-el-camino-espanol-esta-vallado-menos-para-su-fundacion-1276416219/ |archive-date=3 January 2015}}
• Eduard Punset, Catalan politician, lawyer, economist, and science popularizer.{{cite web|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/gente/20171024/432301336856/el-si-y-no-a-la-independencia-catalunya-de-famosos.html|title=El "sí" y el "no" a la independencia de los famosos|date=24 October 2017|publisher=La Vanguardia}}
• Josep Carreras, Catalan tenor singer{{cite web |url=http://www.intereconomia.com/programa/gato-al-agua/tenor-jose-carreras-camara-visca-catalunya-lliure |title=El Tenor José Carreras ante una cámara: ' Visca Catalunya Lliure' {{pipe}} Intereconomía {{pipe}} 376462 |publisher=Intereconomia.com |access-date=2012-09-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407040427/http://www.intereconomia.com/programa/gato-al-agua/tenor-jose-carreras-camara-visca-catalunya-lliure |archive-date=2012-04-07}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.elnacional.cat/enblau/es/television/josep-carreras-catalunya-independencia-politicos_316116_102.html|title=Carreras, emocionado con la independencia: "Yo no la veré... mis nietos, quizás sí"|website=En Blau|date=20 October 2018 |access-date=2019-01-29}}
• Sister Teresa Forcades, Catalan physician and Benedictine nun{{cite web|url=http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/politica/monja-teresa-forcades-ridiculo-independencia-2825489 |title=Teresa Forcades: "En Catalunya ya no es ridículo decir independencia, se ve posible" |date=10 November 2013 |publisher=El Periódico |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528095708/http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/politica/monja-teresa-forcades-ridiculo-independencia-2825489 |archive-date=28 May 2015}}
• Pilar Rahola, Catalan journalist and writer.
• Miquel Calçada, Catalan journalist{{cite web|url=http://www.naciodigital.cat/noticia/12760/miquel/calcada/dignitat/catalunya/nom/nom/independencia |title=Nació Digital: Miquel Calçada: "La dignitat de Catalunya només té un nom: independència" |publisher=Naciodigital.cat |access-date=2012-09-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322191638/http://www.naciodigital.cat/noticia/12760/miquel/calcada/dignitat/catalunya/nom/nom/independencia |archive-date=2012-03-22}}
• Joel Joan, Catalan actor{{cite web|url=http://www.libertaddigital.com/espana/politica/2015-02-18/joel-joan-espana-ya-no-nos-da-miedo-ya-no-esperamos-los-tanques-1276541013/ |title=Joel Joan: "España ya no nos da miedo, ya no esperamos los tanques" |publisher=Libertad Digital |date=18 February 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323011703/http://www.libertaddigital.com/espana/politica/2015-02-18/joel-joan-espana-ya-no-nos-da-miedo-ya-no-esperamos-los-tanques-1276541013/ |archive-date=23 March 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mediterraneodigital.com/portada/nacional/edicion-cataluna/lerida/el-actor-joel-joan-directo-a-la-independencia-de-cataluna-espana-ya-no-nos-da-miedo.html |title=El actor Joel Joan, directo a la independencia de Cataluña: 'España ya no nos da miedo' |date=18 February 2015 |publisher=Mediterráneo Digital |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330021836/http://www.mediterraneodigital.com/portada/nacional/edicion-cataluna/lerida/el-actor-joel-joan-directo-a-la-independencia-de-cataluna-espana-ya-no-nos-da-miedo.html |archive-date=30 March 2015}}
• Txarango, Catalan music band{{Cite web|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20170904/431054375029/txarango-referendum-1o.html|title=Txarango pone la banda sonora al sí|date=2017-09-04|website=La Vanguardia|access-date=2019-01-15}}
• Xavi Hernández, former Catalan footballer who previously played and coached for FC Barcelona.{{Cite news|url=https://elpais.com/deportes/2017/10/01/actualidad/1506854176_227269.html|title=Xavi: "Lo que está sucediendo en Cataluña es una vergüenza"|last=Tronchoni|first=Nadia|date=2017-10-01|work=El País|access-date=2019-01-15|language=es|issn=1134-6582}}
• Beth, Catalan singer; she was a contestant at Eurovision Song Contest 2003{{Cite web|url=https://www.elespanol.com/cultura/musica/20180910/beth-cara-espana-eurovision-musa-indepe-diada/336966827_0.html|title=Beth, de dar la cara por España en Eurovisión a musa 'indepe' en la Diada|date=2018-09-10|website=El Español|language=es-ES|access-date=2019-01-15}}

All of the Spanish national political parties in Catalonia reject the idea of independence, except En Comú Podem and its successor Comuns Sumar, which are pro-referendum but have remained neutral on the issue. Together they represent a minority of votes and a minority of seats in the Catalan parliament. Others such as Citizens,{{cite web|url=http://www.ciudadanos-cs.org/ |title=Ciudadanos – Partido de la Ciudadanía |publisher=Ciudadanos-cs.org |access-date=2012-10-08}} and the People's Party of Catalonia,{{cite web|url=http://www.ppcatalunya.com/ |title=Partit Popular de Catalunya {{pipe}} |publisher=Ppcatalunya.com |access-date=2012-09-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928231316/http://www.ppcatalunya.com/ |archive-date=2012-09-28 }} which had 25.4% and 4.2% of the vote respectively in the 2017 Catalan regional election, have always opposed the notion of Catalan self-determination. The Socialists' Party of Catalonia (13.9% of the vote) opposes independence as well. While some of its members supported the idea of a self-determination referendum up until 2012,{{cite web |url=http://www.cronica.cat/noticia/Lultima_batalla_dels_catalanistes_del_PSC |title=L'última batalla dels catalanistes del PSC – Crònica.cat – La informació imprescindible |publisher=Cronica.cat |access-date=2012-09-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303053339/http://www.cronica.cat/noticia/Lultima_batalla_dels_catalanistes_del_PSC |archive-date=2012-03-03 }} the official position as of 2015 is that the Spanish Constitution should be reformed in order to better accommodate Catalonia.{{cite news|title=El PSC renuncia en su programa electoral al derecho a decidir |url=http://www.elmundo.es/cataluna/2015/07/02/55948350268e3eb26d8b458b.html |access-date=1 November 2015 |publisher=El Mundo |date=2 July 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109050648/http://www.elmundo.es/cataluna/2015/07/02/55948350268e3eb26d8b458b.html |archive-date=9 January 2016 }} A slight majority of voters of left-wing platform Catalonia In Common-We Can (Catalunya En Comú-Podem) (8.94%) reject independence although the party favours a referendum in which it would campaign for Catalonia remaining part of Spain. CDC's Catalanist former-partner Unió came out against independence and fared badly in every subsequent election, eventually disbanding due to bankruptcy in 2017.{{cite news|last1=Planas|first1=Pablo|title=Adiós definitivo a Unió, la última víctima de la maldición de Mas|url=http://www.libertaddigital.com/espana/politica/2017-03-25/adios-definitivo-a-unio-la-ultima-victima-de-la-maldicion-de-mas-1276595576/|access-date=28 October 2017|work=Libertad Digital|date=25 March 2017|language=es}} Vox also strongly opposes the idea of independence or a referendum, even going so far as to propose a ban on pro-independence parties.{{cite web|url=https://www.elnacional.cat/es/politica/vox-propone-referendum-ilegalizar-partidos-independentistas_942219_102.html|title=Vox propone un referéndum para ilegalizar a los partidos independentistas|date=28 December 2022|publisher=El Nacional.cat}}

File:08.10.2017 Manifestació "Prou! Recuperem el seny" - Barcelona 09.jpg

On 8 October 2017, Societat Civil Catalana held a rally against Catalan independence; the organisers claimed that over a million people attended, while the Barcelona police force estimated the number at about 300,000.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20171029/432456948913/manifestacion-barcelona-unidad-espana.html|title=Manifestación Barcelona: 1.000.000 personas según la delegación del Gobierno|date=2017-10-29|website=La Vanguardia|access-date=2019-10-06}} To date this event is the largest pro-Constitution and anti-independence demonstration in the history of Catalonia.{{cite web|url=http://www.elmundo.es/cataluna/2017/10/08/59da314846163f50618b45e5.html|title=Más de un millón de personas colapsan Barcelona contra el independentismo|website=Elmundo.es|access-date=10 December 2017|date=2017-10-08}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/08/world/europe/catalonia-independence-protest.html|title='I Am Spanish': Thousands in Barcelona Protest a Push for Independence|first1=Jason|last1=Horowitz|first2=Patrick|last2=Kingsley|date=8 October 2017|website=The New York Times|access-date=10 December 2017}}

On 12 October 2017, 65,000 people, according to the Barcelona police, marched against independence in a smaller demonstration marking the Spanish national day. The turnout was thirteen times more than the prior year and the highest on record in Barcelona's history for this event.{{cite web|url=http://www.larazon.es/espana/miles-de-personas-se-concentran-en-barcelona-por-el-12-o-GA16529186|title=Barcelona vive la manifestación más multitudinaria de su historia en un 12-O|first=La|last=Razón|website=Larazon.es|access-date=10 December 2017|date=12 October 2017 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.elmundo.es/cataluna/2017/10/12/59df324d22601d53378b45af.html|title=65.000 manifestantes en el 12-O de Barcelona, según la Guardia Urbana, trece veces más que el año anterior|website=Elmundo.es|access-date=10 December 2017|date=2017-10-12}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bostonherald.com/news/international/2017/10/the_latest_65000_recorded_at_spanish_loyalist_rally|title=The Latest: 65,000 recorded at Spanish loyalist rally|website=Bostonherald.com|access-date=10 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620020543/http://www.bostonherald.com/news/international/2017/10/the_latest_65000_recorded_at_spanish_loyalist_rally|archive-date=20 June 2018|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

On 29 October 2017, hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated on the streets of Barcelona in favor of the unity of Spain and celebrating the Spanish government forcing new regional elections in December, in a demonstration called by Societat Civil Catalana. According to the Delegation of the Spanish government in Catalonia the turnout was of 1,000,000 people whereas according to the Barcelona police it was of 300,000 people. Societat Civil Catalana itself estimated the turnout at 1,000,000 people.{{cite web|url=http://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20171029/432456948913/manifestacion-barcelona-unidad-espana.html|title=Manifestación Barcelona: 1.000.000 personas según la delegación del Gobierno|website=Lavanguardia.com|access-date=10 December 2017|date=2017-10-29}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/29/spain-barcelona-set-for-huge-rally-against-catalan-independence-catalonia|title=Catalonia: Madrid warns of Puigdemont jailing as thousands rally for unity|first=Sam|last=Jones|date=29 October 2017|website=Theguardian.com|access-date=10 December 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/catalonia-independence-protesters-stage-big-anti-independence-rally/|title=Protesters stage big anti-independence rally in Catalonia|date=29 October 2017|website=Politico.eu|access-date=10 December 2017}}

In 2017 the concept of 'Tabarnia' became popular on social media and received widespread media attention. Tabarnia is a fictional region covering urban coastal Catalonia demanding independence from the wider region, should it proceed with independence. Arguments in favor of Tabarnia satirically mirror those in favor of Catalan independence from Spain. Numerous pro-independence groups and individuals were critical of the concept and responded that the parody unfairly trivializes Catalonia's independence movement, which is based in part on Catalonia's distinct culture and identity.{{cite news|title=Pro-unity Catalans parody secessionists|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43280886|access-date=5 March 2018|work=BBC News|date=4 March 2018}}{{cite news|title=Protesters mock Catalan independence bid with secession call of their own|url=http://www.dw.com/en/protesters-mock-catalan-independence-bid-with-secession-call-of-their-own/a-42819202|access-date=5 March 2018|work=DW.COM|date=2018}}{{cite news|title=Spanish unionist rally mocks Catalan separatist movement|url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/Spanish-unionist-rally-mocks-Catalan-separatist-12726499.php|access-date=5 March 2018|work=SFGate|date=2018|archive-date=4 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304220512/https://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/Spanish-unionist-rally-mocks-Catalan-separatist-12726499.php|url-status=dead}} This proposal, from a platform created in 2011, was shown to map the electoral results of the Catalan regional election of 21 December 2017, which provoked renewed interest. The word 'Tabarnia' went viral on 26 December 2017, reaching worldwide top-trending status with over 648,000 mentions. The first major demonstration in favour of Tabarnia's autonomy from Catalonia took place in Barcelona on 4 February 2017, with 15,000 participants according to the Guàrdia Urbana and 200,000 according to organizers.{{Cite news | url=https://elpais.com/ccaa/2018/03/04/catalunya/1520162880_273146.html | title=La plataforma por Tabarnia exhibe músculo y se manifiesta en Barcelona| newspaper=El País| date=2018-03-04| last1=Blanchar| first1=Clara}}

In these years, different figures from Catalan culture and politics have spoken out against the process, like Joan Manuel Serrat, Josep Borrell, Isabel Coixet, Pau Gasol, Mercedes Milá, Estopa, Montserrat Caballé or Núria Espert among others.{{cite news |title=22 FAMOSOS CATALANES A FAVOR Y EN CONTRA DE LA INDEPENDENCIA |url=https://zeleb.publico.es/noticia/22-famosos-catalanes-a-favor-y-en-contra-de-la-independencia/ |access-date=31 January 2022 |issue=Público.es |date=2018}}

• {{ill|José Luis Bonet|es}}, Catalan businessman, Chairman of Freixenet[https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/noticias/2017-09-09/independencia-cataluna-famosos-a-favor-en-contra_1440747/ Independenciómetro: famosos a favor o en contra del 'procés' catalán] www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com
• Juan José Brugera, Catalan businessman, Chairman of Inmobiliaria Colonial
• Isidre Fainé, Catalan banker, Chairman of Caixabank
• {{ill|José Creuheras|es}}, Catalan businessman, Chairman of Planeta Group
• {{ill|Javier Godó|es}}, Catalan businessman, Chairman of Grupo Godó
• Antón Costas, Catalan businessman, Founder of pharmaceutical company Almirall[https://alnavio.com/noticia/11508/economia/quienes-son-los-grandes-empresarios-catalanes-a-favor-y-en-contra-de-la-independencia.html Quiénes son los grandes empresarios catalanes a favor y en contra de la independencia] alnavio.com
• Eduardo Mendoza Garriga, Catalan novelist
• Juan Marsé, Catalan novelist, journalist and screenwriter.
• Albert Boadella, Catalan actor, director and playwright[http://www.elperiodico.com/es/politica/20171210/prensa-hoy-10-diciembre-2017-6484940 Rouco Varela y Albert Boadella, unidos contra la independencia] elperiodico.com
• Mercedes Milá, Catalan television presenter and journalist{{cite news|title=Famosos a favor y en contra de la independencia |url=http://www.lne.es/espana/2015/09/24/famosos-favor-independencia/1817747.html |access-date=1 November 2015 |publisher=La Nueva España |date=27 September 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029205544/http://www.lne.es/espana/2015/09/24/famosos-favor-independencia/1817747.html |archive-date=29 October 2015}}
• {{ill|Javier Sardà|es}}, Catalan presenter and journalist[http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/opinion/soy-del-barca-4367579 Ya no soy del Barça] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102034644/http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/opinion/soy-del-barca-4367579 |date=2015-11-02}} elperiodico.com
• {{ill|Jordi Évole|es}}, Catalan presenter and journalist[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8ktD9IvFoA Jordi Évole: "Yo no quiero la independencia de Cataluña"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109050648/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8ktD9IvFoA |date=2016-01-09}} youtube
• Montserrat Caballé, Catalan operatic soprano
• Joan Manuel Serrat, Catalan musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and performer[http://www.lavanguardia.com/cultura/20151003/54437866101/serrat-catalunya-no-conviene-independencia-espana.html Serrat: "A Catalunya no le conviene la independencia de España"] lavanguardia.com
• Estopa, Catalan rock/rumba duo{{cite web|url=https://www.elplural.com/politica/espana/famosos-catalanes-que-defienden-a-espana-o-apoyan-la-independencia_109993102|title=Famosos catalanes que defienden a España... o apoyan la independencia|website=El Plural|date=23 September 2017}}
• Loquillo, Catalan rock singer[http://www.lasexta.com/programas/el-intermedio/thais-villas-accion/loquillo-independencia-cataluna-cortina-humo_201210295727fcf94beb28d446036ce4.html Loquillo: "La independencia de Cataluña es una cortina de humo"] lasexta.com
• Miguel Poveda, Catalan flamenco singer
• Núria Espert, Catalan theatre and television actress, theatre and opera director
• Javier Cárdenas Catalan singer and television and radio presenter[https://gaceta.es/noticias/javier-cardenas-independencia-cataluna-30102016-1025/ Así desmonta Javier Cárdenas al separatismo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121184418/https://gaceta.es/noticias/javier-cardenas-independencia-cataluna-30102016-1025/ |date=21 January 2018 }} gaceta.es
• Isabel Coixet, Catalan film director
• Santi Millán, Catalan actor, showman and television presenter
• Risto Mejide, Catalan publicist, author, music producer, talent show judge, TV presenter and songwriter
• Susanna Griso, Catalan presenter and journalist
• Jorge Javier Vázquez, Catalan television presenter
• Dani Pedrosa, Catalan Grand Prix motorcycle racer

{{Main|Opinion polling on Catalan independence}}

This is a list of recent opinion polling on the subject. Most polls are conducted by the Centre d'Estudis d'Opinió, a research institute under the purview of the Catalan government, or the Institut de Ciencès Politiques i Socials, a part of the Autonomous University of Barcelona. However newspapers such as La Vanguardia or El Periodico also sometimes conduct polls on the subject.

Questions about a referendum are listed below if asked, however the ICPS also asked 'Do you want Catalunya to be an independent state or do you prefer to stay part of Spain?', where 'stay part of Spain' regularly performs ~10 points better than 'No' on the referendum question.

{{Cnote2 Begin|liststyle=disc}}

{{Cnote2|CEO| Question: 'Do you want Catalunya to be an independent state?' Responses: Yes, No, Don't know, No answer}}

{{Cnote2|ICPS|Question: 'If tomorrow a referendum were held to decide the independence of Catalunya, what would you do?' Responses: 'I would vote in favour', 'I would vote against', 'I wouldn't vote', 'Blank or empty vote' or 'Don't know/No Response'}}

{{Cnote2|GAD3|Question 'In a referendum on Catalan independence, what way would you vote?' Responses: 'Yes', 'No', 'Don't know, No answer'}}

{{Cnote2 End}}

File:Catalan Nationalist Symbols on display in Girona.jpg

Under Spanish law, lawfully exiting Spain would require the Spanish parliament to amend the constitution.{{cite news|title=Why the referendum on Catalan independence is illegal|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2017/09/economist-explains-17|access-date=14 February 2018|newspaper=The Economist|date=26 September 2017}} It may be difficult for an independent Catalonia to gain international recognition; for example, many countries (including Spain) fail to recognize Kosovo, despite Kosovo having a strong humanitarian claim to independence.{{cite news|title=Catalonia's quarrel with Spain explained|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29478415|access-date=28 February 2018|work=BBC News|date=2018}}{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Adam|title=Analysis {{!}} What South Sudan can teach Catalonia about creating a new country|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/09/29/9-new-countries-were-founded-in-the-past-25-years-what-could-they-teach-catalonia/|access-date=28 February 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=2 October 2017}} Most of Catalonia's foreign exports go to the European Union; Catalonia would need Spain's permission if it wishes to eventually re-enter the EU following secession.{{cite news|last1=Henley|first1=Jon|title=An independent Catalonia: practicalities of leaving Spain|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/09/an-independent-catalonia-practicalities-of-leaving-spain|access-date=28 February 2018|work=The Guardian|date=9 October 2017}}{{cite news|title=Independent Catalonia would need to apply to join EU: Juncker|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-politics-eu/independent-catalonia-would-need-to-apply-to-join-eu-juncker-idUSKCN1BP210|access-date=28 February 2018|work=Reuters|date=2017}} Catalonia already runs its own police, schools, healthcare, transport, agriculture, environment policy, and municipal governments. Other institutions, such as a central bank and a revenue collection service would have to be rebuilt, possibly losing existing economies of scale.{{cite news|title=Reality Check: Would Catalonia be a viable country?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41474674|access-date=28 February 2018|work=BBC News|date=22 December 2017}} Accounting measures vary, but the BBC and The Washington Post cite estimates that in 2014 Catalans may have paid about 10 billion euros (or about US$12 billion) more in taxes to the state than what it received in exchange.{{cite news|last1=Erickson|first1=Amanda|title=Analysis {{!}} Catalonia's independence vote: What you need to know|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/09/30/catalonia-independence-referendum-spain/|access-date=28 February 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=27 October 2017}}{{cite news|author=Lauren Said-Moorhouse|title=Catalonia's independence referendum: What to know|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/09/27/europe/catalan-referendum-explained/index.html|access-date=28 February 2018|work=CNN|date=2017}} As of 2014, an independent Catalonia would be the 34th largest economy in the world.{{cite news|last1=Alexander|first1=Harriet|last2=Badcock|first2=James|title=Why does Catalonia want independence from Spain?|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/does-catalonia-want-independence-spain/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/does-catalonia-want-independence-spain/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=14 February 2018|work=The Telegraph|date=5 October 2017}}{{cbignore}} Should Catalonia secede from Spain, some residents of Val d'Aran (population 10,000) have stated they might break away from Catalonia,{{cite news|last1=Minder|first1=Raphael|title=Fake Country Carved From Catalonia Means to Mock Separatism|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/27/world/europe/catalonia-spain-tabarnia-puigdemont-rajoy.html|access-date=28 February 2018|work=The New York Times|date=2018}}{{cite news|last1=Berwick|first1=Angus|title=A split within a split – the Catalan valley sticking with Spain|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-spain-politics-catalonia-union/a-split-within-a-split-the-catalan-valley-sticking-with-spain-idUKKBN1CE1D7|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009142759/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-spain-politics-catalonia-union/a-split-within-a-split-the-catalan-valley-sticking-with-spain-idUKKBN1CE1D7|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 October 2017|access-date=28 February 2018|work=Reuters}} although others state that the local identity has only been recognised by the Catalan government, something the Spanish state never did.

Opponents of Catalan independence have accused the movement of racism or elitism, and argue that the majority of the Catalan public does not support independence.{{cite news |last1=Tremlett |first1=Giles |title="Who is the real bad guy?" Spain's political game in Catalonia |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/2017/11/who-real-bad-guy-spain-s-political-game-catalonia |access-date=30 June 2018 |agency=Newstatesman |date=November 2017}} In an op-ed for The Guardian Aurora Nacarino-Brabo and Jorge San Miguel Lobeto, two political scientists affiliated with the anti-independence Ciutadans Spanish nationalist party, disputed the claim that Catalonia has been oppressed or excluded from Spanish politics. They argued that the independence movement is "neither inclusive nor progressive", and criticised nationalists for excluding the Spanish speaking population of Catalonia, and resorting to what they argue are appeals to ethnicity.{{cite news |last1=Nacarino-Brabo |first1=Aurora |author-link1=Aurora Nacarino-Brabo |last2=Lobeto |first2=Jorge San Miguel |title=Catalan nationalism isn't the progressive cause you might think |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/08/simple-facts-catalan-secessionism-selfish-goal |access-date=30 June 2018 |agency=The Guardian}} These criticisms of ethnic-based appeals and exclusion of Spanish speakers have been echoed by other politicians and public figures opposed to independence, such as former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe González,{{Cite news|url=http://cadenaser.com/emisora/2018/01/16/sercat/1516094918_187512.html|title=Felipe González: "Hi ha supremacisme en l'independentisme català"|date=16 January 2018|work=Cadena Ser|access-date=13 May 2018|language=ca}} and the leader of Ciutadans in Catalonia Inés Arrimadas.{{cite news |title=Arrimadas defends "civil patriotism" and differentiates it from Catalan, Basque and Le Penna "nationalism" |url=http://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-arrimadas-defiende-patriotismo-civil-diferencia-nacionalismo-catalan-vasco-le-pen-20180521154113.html |access-date=21 July 2018 |agency=Europa Press |date=21 May 2018}} Polls show that the wish for independence is positively correlated with having Catalonia-born parents and grandparents, families which also tend to fare better economically.{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/politica/2017/09/28/ratio/1506601198_808440.html|title=El apoyo a la independencia tiene raíces económicas y de origen social|date=28 September 2017|agency=El Pais}}

Statements by different key figures in the independence movement have sometimes contributed to this view. In 2013 Carme Forcadell, then president of the influential Assemblea Nacional Catalana and later president of the Parliament of Catalonia publicly declared that the {{lang|es|Partido Popular|italic=no}} and Citizens were not part of the 'Catalan people' and hence were 'enemies' to defeat.{{cite news|url=https://politica.e-noticies.es/forcadell-defendia-que-cs-y-ppc-no-son-catalanes-95766.html|title=Forcadell defendía que C's y PPC no son catalanes|agency=e-noticies|date=15 July 2015|language=es}} Former president of the Parliament of Catalonia Núria de Gispert has been involved in controversy over the years due to her Tweets, including comparing members of those two parties with pigs to be exported, or for revealing the address of the school where Citizens' leader Albert Rivera's daughter studied.{{cite news|url=https://www.elespanol.com/espana/politica/20190503/nuria-gispert-verdadera-cara-nacionalismo-catalan/395461365_0.html|title=Núria de Gispert, la verdadera cara del nacionalismo catalán|agency=El Español|date=3 May 2019|language=es}} Quim Torra, who was appointed president of the regional parliament of Catalonia in 2018, was also involved in controversy regarding past tweets suggesting "Spaniards know only how to plunder" and describing them as having "a rough patch in their DNA".{{cite news |title=Quim Torra sworn in as Catalan president amid xenophobia claims |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/17/quim-torra-sworn-in-catalan-president-xenophobia-claims |access-date=10 June 2022 |work=the Guardian |date=17 May 2018 |language=en}}

Members of the Catalan independence movement have strongly denied their movement is xenophobic or supremacist and define it as "an inclusive independence movement in which neither the origin nor the language are important".{{Cite news|url=https://www.welt.de/print/welt_kompakt/print_lifestyle/article137488056/Unabhaengigkeit-fuer-eine-bessere-Zukunft.html|title=Unabhängigkeit für eine bessere Zukunft|last=Forcadell|first=Carme|date=16 February 2015|work=Die Welt|access-date=13 May 2017|language=de}} In addition, independence supporters usually allege most far-right and xenophobic groups in Catalonia support Spanish nationalism,{{Cite news|url=http://www.elcritic.cat/investigacio/extrema-dreta-a-catalunya-de-la-a-a-la-z-9680|title=Diccionari de l'extrema dreta a Catalunya, de la A a la Z|last=Borràs|first=Jordi|date=31 May 2016|work=El Crític|access-date=13 May 2018|language=ca}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.eltemps.cat/article/3025/els-romanents-xenofobs-a-cs-persisteixen|title=L'extrema dreta que no marxa de C's|last=Chaika|first=Cris|date=12 January 2018|work=El Temps|access-date=13 May 2018|language=ca}} and usually participate in unionist{{clarification needed|Reason= trade union?|date=January 2025}}{{vague|Reason= trade union?|date=January 2025}} demonstrations.{{Cite news|url=http://elmon.cat/politica/unitat-lextrema-dreta-manifestacio-scc|title=Unitat de l'extrema dreta a la manifestació de SCC|last=Borràs|first=Jordi|date=8 October 2017|work=El Món|access-date=13 May 2018|language=ca|archive-date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513223615/http://elmon.cat/politica/unitat-lextrema-dreta-manifestacio-scc|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.ccma.cat/324/la-reaparicio-de-lextrema-dreta-durant-les-manifestacions-contra-la-independencia/noticia/2819766/|title=La reaparició de l'extrema dreta durant les manifestacions contra la independència|date=7 November 2017|work=3/24|access-date=13 May 2018|language=ca}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/catalan-crisis-helps-spain-171127165448828.html|title=How the Catalan crisis helps Spain's far right|last=Newton|first=Creede|date=28 November 2017|work=Al Jazeera|access-date=13 May 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.thelocal.es/20171015/spains-far-right-gains-visibility-in-catalonia-crisis|title=Spain's far-right gains visibility in Catalonia crisis|date=15 October 2017|work=The Local|access-date=13 May 2018}}

On the part of the independence movement, the Comitès de Defensa de la República (Committees for the Defense of the Republic; CDR) were created and organised to hinder police action through passive resistance. In September 2019, seven members of the CDR, alleged to be a branch called "Equipos de Respuesta Técnica" (Tactical Response Teams), were arrested for terrorist offenses; they were said to have been found with explosive material and maps of official buildings.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/09/29/catalonia-braced-fresh-unrest-terrorism-raids-separatists/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/09/29/catalonia-braced-fresh-unrest-terrorism-raids-separatists/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Catalonia braced for fresh unrest after terrorism raids on separatists|last=Terol|first=Alan Ruiz|date=2019-09-29|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2019-10-17|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.diariosur.es/nacional/guardia-civil-detiene-20190923082246-ntrc.html|title=Detenidos siete radicales en Cataluña acusados de preparar atentados "terroristas" inminentes|date=2019-09-23|website=Diario Sur|language=es|access-date=2019-10-17}}{{Cite news|url=https://elpais.com/politica/2019/09/30/actualidad/1569870894_271977.html|title=Sabotajes, explosivos y el asalto al Parlament: los planes de los CDR que investiga el juez|last1=Pérez|first1=Fernando J.|date=2019-10-01|work=El País|access-date=2019-10-17|last2=López-Fonseca|first2=Óscar|language=es|issn=1134-6582}} Three of them were released on bail in October 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.naciodigital.cat/noticia/193198/tres/dels/cdr/acusats/terrorisme/surten/preso|title=Tres dels CDR acusats de terrorisme surten de la presó|date=October 4, 2019|website=Nació Digital}}

• Catalan autonomist campaign of 1918-1919
• 2017–18 Spanish constitutional crisis
• Anna Arqué i Solsona
• Carles Castellanos i Llorenç
• History of Catalonia
• Scottish independence
• Basque Country independence
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• National and regional identity in Spain
• List of active separatist movements in Europe
• Nation state

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{{Commons category|Catalonia Independence movement}}

• [http://www.cataloniavotes.eu/inici/ "Catalonia Votes", website on self-determination referendum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110182449/http://www.cataloniavotes.eu/inici |date=10 November 2014 }} set up by the 2015–2017 Catalan government.
• {{youTube|GqD-D3ssHhk|Catalonia's independence}} (A video based on an article in favour of Catalonia's independence by professor Xavier Sala-i-Martin from Columbia University.)
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130601004631/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0611FD385B0C718CDDA80994DE404482 Party Urging More Autonomy From Spain Seems to Win in Catalonia] Article on New York Times, November 2, 2006
• {{cite news |author= |title=Courage in Catalonia |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60D10FD34550C718EDDAF0894DE404482 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 22, 2006 |access-date=September 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601005518/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60D10FD34550C718EDDAF0894DE404482 |archive-date=2013-06-01 |url-status=dead}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130601001715/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70D11FF35550C7A8DDDAF0894DE404482 Voters in Catalonia Approve A Plan for Greater Autonomy] Article in The New York Times, June 19, 2006
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130531235208/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30C13FF39540C728FDDAA0894DE404482 Spain Moves On Law to Give Broad Powers To Catalonia] Article in The New York Times, March 31, 2006

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