BARCELONA – Sociedad Civil Catalana (SCC) has announced a major demonstration in Barcelona for Sunday, October 8, under the motto “Not in my name. No amnesty, no self-determination”.
The event is seen as a follow-up to the largest-ever anti-independence demonstration in Barcelona, which took place on October 8, 2017.
The demonstration comes at a sensitive time, as Spanish Socialists are negotiating over a possible amnesty for the leaders of the Catalan independence process. An amnesty could allow for a potential investiture by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. However, SCC and other groups involved in the event would like to express their dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs.
The timetable and route
The march will start at 12 noon from the intersection of Paseo de Gracia and Calle Provenza, near Gaudí’s famous building, La Pedrera. This is the traditional meeting place for demonstrations calling for the unity of Spain and the Spanish Constitution.
Speakers and attendees
A stage will be set up between Gran Vía and Paseo de Gracia. Elda Mata, the president of SCC, and Álex Ramos, the vice president, announced that Francisco Vázquez, the former socialist mayor of La Coruña, and Teresa Freixes, professor of Constitutional Law, will be the keynote speakers. It is notable, however, that no active politicians will speak during the event.
Prominent political figures such as Alberto Núñez Feijóo, Isabel Díaz Ayuso and Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo have already confirmed their presence. The Vox party has also expressed its support for the event.
Traffic blocks and extra train services
Participants will come not only from Barcelona but also from other Spanish cities such as Girona, Tarragona, Navarra, Valencia and Madrid. Therefore, SCC has asked Renfe to provide additional train services from Zaragoza, Madrid and Valencia to meet the expected high demand.
Sunday’s demonstration promises to be a critical moment in the ongoing debate over Catalan independence and Spanish national politics, according to the newspaper El Confidencial.
