Catalans Vow Resistance Against Fascist Spain
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org – Home – Stephen Lendman)
On Friday, Spanish-language elPeriodico said “(t)he Intersindical CSC union has confirmed that it has called a general strike from next Monday, October 30, until Thursday, November 9, and during the weekend will decide whether to keep the call and for how many days.”
“Sources from the union explained…that they will carry out the strike if they find that the application of article 155 of the Constitution affects labor rights and threatens workers when carrying out their work ‘normally.’ “
In a Saturday address, sacked Catalan President Puigdemont said “(l)et’s move forward with the only winning attitude without violence, insults, in a very inclusive way, respecting opinions and symbols and protests by other people who are against what the parliamentary majority decided.”
“It’s very clear that the best form of defending the gains made up until now is democratic opposition to Article 155.” He vowed to “continue working to build a free country,” adding:
Madrid’s actions were “contrary to the will expressed in the ballot box. In a democratic society, parliaments are the ones to appoint and dismiss presidents.”
On Friday, Spanish PM Rajoy said “(w)e have decided to sack the Catalan government. (Madrid) will assume the powers of the (regional) administration.”
National police, civil guards and soldiers remain in Catalonia, ready to enforce Madrid rule over the region. Resistance is likely, maybe state-sponsored violence and bloodshed.
Hispanic and Catalan Studies senior lecturer Sally-Ann Kitts expects referendum day violence to be repeated. “I really will be amazed if we don’t see more of that,” she said.
Activists volunteered to form human shields around government buildings to protect officials. Unknown numbers of civil servants said they won’t take orders from Madrid.
Sacked Mossos d’Esquadra police chief Josep Lluis Trapero shamefully accepted a demotion to commissar, betraying his people.
Madrid disbanded a Catalan tribunal established to investigate referendum day police state violence.
Washington and EU states expressed support for Madrid. State Department Heather Nauert said “Catalonia is an integral part of Spain, and the United States supports the Spanish government’s constitutional measures to keep Spain strong and united.”
Theresa May’s office said Britain “does not and will not” recognize Catalan independence.”
Scotland’s pro-independence Scottish National Party leader Nocola Sturgeon criticized Madrid’s refusal to hold direct talks with Catalan officials.
The imposition of direct rule “cannot be the solution,” she added. “People of Catalonia must have the ability to determine their own future.”
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed full support for Rajoy.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert said her “government does not recognize such an independence declaration. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Spain are and always will be inviolable.”
European Council President Donald Tusk, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, and European Parliament President Antonio Tajani all expressed support for Madrid.
So did Canada’s Justin Trudeau, “recogniz(ing) one united Spain.”
Catalans continue their liberating struggle with little outside support. They face a tough road ahead to be free from fascist Spain.
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