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](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/FBMJR3IHQCOQRDEPCR2QW5SBS4.jpg?auth=2a0989b99672074fc9f10643485297abf1644647668e655556d556afcd18a6a6&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
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.