An overflowing Avinguda Meridiana shows world strength of Catalan independence movement
Hundreds of thousands fill the Via Lliure (Gateway to the Catalan
Republic) in a festive and hopeful atmosphere. Barcelona, overwhelmed
by rally’s success
Republic) in a festive and hopeful atmosphere. Barcelona, overwhelmed
by rally’s success
It was a few minutes before seven in the evening when the performance of
the Catalan national anthem by the Orfeó Catalá closed an intense new
day for the independence cause. Once again, the mobilization for
September 11th has been a massive, resounding, undeniable success. The
pace of online registrations was slow, and there were, for the first
time, doubts as to whether the organizers would be able to counter a
temporary fatigue and repeat the success of previous years. The answer
was clear already as of three o’clock in the afternoon.
Two hours before the start of the Via Lliure the Meridiana was already
crowded. One hour before, the avenue was spectacularly full. And at
17:14 p.m. no more people could fit. 1.4 million people, according to
the Guàrdia Urbana (Barcelona’s Metropolitan Police); 550,000 according
to the delegation of the Spanish government. Beyond the usual
discrepancy on figures, the fact is that, for the fourth consecutive
year, the independence movement has made a show of force. Spectacular,
festive, civic, and peaceful, the 2015 Via Lliure has added new images
to the photo album of those who are convinced that, now, Catalonia has
independence within its reach. From above, the images were spectacular
once again. Barcelona, overflowing, has experienced a new, spectacular
Diada (Catalan national holiday).
