Catalonia NOW!

'What's happening is a mini revolution': eyewitness accounts

Sarah Marsh

Readers have been sharing their eyewitness accounts with us –you can share yours with us here.

‘It is frightening, we are living in a world where human rights are being not listened to’

What is happening at the moment is a mini revolution – the Catalans
want a referendum and where we are right now, we are waiting for Guardias to arrive as that is what is happening elsewhere. Old people have been attacked ...We are doing what we want to do which is just vote.
It has not been violent where we are but what we are hearing and
seeing things. Last night I was outside the square eating sausages we
cooked on the BBQ and talking about what tomorrow means and now we are talking about what Monday means and Tuesday. It is frightening, we are living in a world where human rights are being not listened to. I think Catalonia deserves to be listened to.
If the rest of the world does not put its arms up and prevent the Spanish government from attacking peaceful demonstrators, then that is worrying.
I have got children with me at the moment, they know what is going on and they can feel this tension – it’s just not nice. You bring children up to be peaceful and seeing the establishment carry old ladies off. It would be great if everything news-wise shows what is really happenings. – Fiona Williamson, 44 from Barcelona

‘This is history. People say they will not move if there is violence’

Sitting outside the polling station in Barcelona Nord. We’re here on holiday but it is fascinating to watch all these people voting. They are here to stand and be visible, we’ve talked to some people. Other stations around here are closed so more people are coming here to vote. The local Catalan police are patrolling but there is no aggravation towards them, they are not stopping the process. Earlier today I saw seven police vans drive by, the cars beeped their horns in protest. Catalonian flags are hanging in windows, there is graffiti for voting yes. There are no posters for no. I talked to a girl and asked if she knew anyone voting no. She said she knew some people from university, but there was no argument between them. They just wanted to vote. People clap when they leave the station. A man handed his umbrella to another pushing an elderly lady in a wheelchair. The atmosphere is friendly and momentous. People are happy to talk and share with us. This is history. They say they will not move if there is violence. It’s too important – Caitríona O’Brien and Malachy McDermott, Irish holidaymakers in Barcelona