karl
September 11th, 2013, 04:09 AM
Thousands of people in Catalonia are poised to unite on Wednesday to form a 400-kilometre (250-mile) human chain in a bold push for independence from Spain which is fiercely opposed by Madrid.
The chain will stretch across 86 cities, towns and villages along the coast of the northeastern region on the Mediterranean, passing landmarks such as the Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona and the city's Camp Nou football stadium, home to Barça.
The event, tagged the "Catalonian Way Towards Independence", will coincide with the region's national day, or Diada, which recalls the final defeat of local troops by Spanish king Philip V's forces in 1714.
"It's going to be a historic day," said Carme Forcadell, the president of the Catalonian National Assembly, the grassroots group organizing the human chain. She predicted over 400,000 people will take part.
Participants will link arms at 5.14pm (15.14 GMT), a reference to the year 1714, which for many Catalonian nationalists marks the beginning of three centuries of oppression by the Spanish state.
Full story here: http://www.thelocal.es/20130911/catalan-chain-aims-to-break-spanish-bonds
The chain will stretch across 86 cities, towns and villages along the coast of the northeastern region on the Mediterranean, passing landmarks such as the Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona and the city's Camp Nou football stadium, home to Barça.
The event, tagged the "Catalonian Way Towards Independence", will coincide with the region's national day, or Diada, which recalls the final defeat of local troops by Spanish king Philip V's forces in 1714.
"It's going to be a historic day," said Carme Forcadell, the president of the Catalonian National Assembly, the grassroots group organizing the human chain. She predicted over 400,000 people will take part.
Participants will link arms at 5.14pm (15.14 GMT), a reference to the year 1714, which for many Catalonian nationalists marks the beginning of three centuries of oppression by the Spanish state.
Full story here: http://www.thelocal.es/20130911/catalan-chain-aims-to-break-spanish-bonds