Thousands attend rally in support of pro-independence coalition ‘Junts pel Sí’

Barcelona (CNA).- Thousands of people attended on Friday a rally in Barcelona in support of the pro-independence coalition ‘Junts pel Sí’ (Together for Yes). It was the first big event of this cross-party coalition, which brings together members of Catalan civil society and politicians from both right and left that favour independence. The Catalan President Artur Mas, who is fourth on the coalition’s candidate list, delivered a speech in which he defended ‘Junts pel Sí’ as an example of the determination of the Catalan people to achieve independence. “Catalonia is not divided and it won’t be”, he said, arguing that Catalans that support separation from Spain have been able to put ideological differences aside in order to achieve their common goal.  

The Catalan President argued that the cross-party list proves that those who expected pro-independence Catalans to be divided “were wrong”. “Now they say: ‘It’s impossible for you to win, you won’t have a majority’. They will be wrong again. On the 27th of September we will win, and we’ll have a majority”, he said. Mas urged undecided voters to support ‘Junts pel Sí’ because with them, he said, “they will have a better future”.

The event in Barcelona was the official presentation of the candidates on the ‘Junts pel Sí’ ticket. The cross-party coalition, led by former Green MEP Raül Romeva, has also achieved the support of 56,000 citizens whom have signed up as symbolic “candidates”. The list includes personalities such as Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola, singer Lluís Llach and actress Montserrat Carulla. The poll in September is considered by many as a ‘de facto’ referendum on independence.

Romeva said to those gathered in Barcelona that Europe is “watching” Catalonia while Spain “threatens” supporters of independence. The former Green MEP asked citizens to reject “the insults and threats” of the Spanish government led by Mariano Rajoy. “We need to hang in there, because we believe in what we are doing”, said Romeva. According to the leader of the ‘Junts pel Sí’ list, these could be the last regional elections in Catalonia. “We are not voting to reform the Constitution, but to create a Constitution for Catalonia. Without sovereignty we can only choose who is in government; with sovereignty we can actually decide how to govern”, he added.

The leader of the left-wing pro-independence party ERC, Oriol Junqueras, who is fifth on the candidate list, said that independence is the only way to achieve equal rights for everyone. “It is an opportunity for dignity, an opportunity for justice”, he pointed out. “Let’s make use of this opportunity to create the country that we need and we deserve”, he stated.