Catalans Make Case for Statehood With Response to Barcelona
- March against violence to take place in Barcelona on Saturday
- Spanish policemen complain about being barred from operations
Pro-independence supporters in Barcelona in 2012.
Photographer: David Ramos/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
For separatist politicians in Catalonia, acting like an independent state may be a lot easier than becoming one.
The authorities in Barcelona grabbed the limelight as the semi-autonomous Spanish region responded to last week’s terror attacks. Setting the stage for breaking away from Spain will be more difficult with support for independence on the wane thanks to an economic recovery and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy adamant a referendum planned for Oct. 1 won’t happen.