Catalonia's silent majority gets loud

Demonstrators wave Spanish flags as they gather near a headquarters of federal police in Barcelona. Photo / AP

The images of Spanish riot police using batons to beat voters away from the ballot box were the most powerful impressions of the vote in the wannabe breakaway republic of Catalonia.

But just out of view of the camera lenses was the majority of Spanish citizens in this region - those who did not vote in the disputed referendum for an independent Catalonia. At least 6 in 10 registered voters stayed home, suggesting deep division and opposition to a split with Spain.

Demonstrators shout slogans as thousands of people march to protest the Catalan government's push for secession from the rest of Spain in downtown Barcelona. Photo / AP

Hundreds of thousands of them took to the streets of Barcelona yesterday in protest at the Catalan Government's plan to announce an imminent secession from Spain. Two days before an anticipated declaration of independence by Catalan leaders, it was the turn of the people whom Mariano Rajoy, the Spanish Prime Minister, has labelled the "silent majority" to raise their voices against the drive towards secession.

"Catalonia belongs to us all, and not just to the nationalists," said Álex Ramos, of the anti-separatist Catalan Civil Society, which organised the protest. Many demonstrators waved Spanish and Catalan flags to demonstrate their dual identity.

Pre-referendum polls showed a 60 to 40 majority of Catalans in favour of remaining part of Spain. They range from old-school socialists to old-family capitalists, who say the referendum was either a bad idea or just done badly. Catalan business leaders worry it does not make sense to break from Spain.

A man holds up a sign during a march in downtown Barcelona. Photo / AP

A Spanish freelancer, who has lived in Barcelona for the last seven years, wondered aloud if she and her Scottish boyfriend belong in Catalonia anymore. "We're open individuals, citizens of the world," said Maribel Villalba.

"We just want to live peacefully. You can't put half the population against the other half."

Marta Gimenez, a recent law school graduate who works for a major Spanish bank, said that the secessionists keep talking about how Catalonia is oppressed. "Show me oppression," Gimenez said, rolling her eyes. "We are the freest people in Europe."

- Washington Post, Telegraph Group Ltd