A motorcycle rally called the ‘Motorada per la Independencia’ was held at the Circuit de Catalunya race track on October 19 in support of Catalan independence.
A motorcycle rally called the ‘Motorada per la Independencia’ was held at the Circuit de Catalunya race track on October 19 in support of Catalan independence.
Above: People at Plaza Catalonia before the beginning of a rally to support Catalan independence.
Above: People at Plaza Catalonia before the beginning of a rally to support Catalan independence.
The Catalan independence movement promotes the idea that Catalonia is a nation and should be independent from Spain.
Above: People at Plaza Catalonia before the beginning of a rally in support of Catalan independence.
Above: People at Plaza Catalonia before the beginning of a rally in support of Catalan independence.
The first alleged attempts at struggle for Catalan independence date back to the 17th century, when the first Catalan Republic was established during the so-called Reapers' War.
Above: Musicians at the Circuit de Catalunya race track before the beginning of the ‘Motorada per la Independencia’ motorcycle rally to support Catalan independence.
Above: Musicians at the Circuit de Catalunya race track before the beginning of the ‘Motorada per la Independencia’ motorcycle rally to support Catalan independence.
The first pro-independence political parties in Spanish Catalonia were created in the 1920s and 1930s.
Above: Bikers near the Circuit de Catalunya race track before the beginning of the ‘Motorada per la Independencia’ motorcycle rally in support of Catalan independence.
Above: Bikers near the Circuit de Catalunya race track before the beginning of the ‘Motorada per la Independencia’ motorcycle rally in support of Catalan independence.
On July 10, 2010 a rally against the limits set to the autonomy of Catalonia withing Spain was held in central Barcelona. The number of participants was estimated at between 1.1 million and 1.5 million.
Above: Bikers near the Circuit de Catalunya race track before the beginning of the ‘Motorada per la Independencia’ motorcycle rally in support of Catalan independence.
Above: Bikers near the Circuit de Catalunya race track before the beginning of the ‘Motorada per la Independencia’ motorcycle rally in support of Catalan independence.
On September 11, 2012, during the National Day of Catalonia, a protest march called the Catalan Independence Demonstration was held in central Barcelona under the slogan "Catalonia, a new state in Europe."
Above: Bikers at the Circuit de Catalunya race track before the beginning of the ‘Motorada per la Independencia’ motorcycle rally in support of Catalan independence.
Above: Bikers at the Circuit de Catalunya race track before the beginning of the ‘Motorada per la Independencia’ motorcycle rally in support of Catalan independence.
On September 11, 2013 a 300-mile long human chain called the Catalan Way was organized by the Assemblea Nacional Catalana. About 1.6 million people participated in the event.
Above: Bikers near the Circuit de Catalunya race track before the beginning of the ‘Motorada per la Independencia’ motorcycle rally in support of the Catalan independence.
Above: Bikers near the Circuit de Catalunya race track before the beginning of the ‘Motorada per la Independencia’ motorcycle rally in support of the Catalan independence.
A gathering in support of the upcoming independence referendum took place in Barcelona on September 11, 2014 and attracted about 1.8 million people. It became known as the Catalan Way 2014 or V, because of the shape formed by the participants.
Above: Bikers are seen here near the Circuit de Catalunya race track prior to a motor rally,attending ‘Motorada per la Independencia’, in support of Catalan independence.
Above: Bikers are seen here near the Circuit de Catalunya race track prior to a motor rally,attending ‘Motorada per la Independencia’, in support of Catalan independence.
On December 12, 2013 the government of Catalonia announced that an independence referendum will take place on November 9th of the following year. The Spanish government immediately declared that "such a poll will not be held."
Above: People at Plaza Catalonia before the beginning of a rally in support of Catalan independence.
Above: People at Plaza Catalonia before the beginning of a rally in support of Catalan independence.
On October 14, Catalan leader Artur Mas announced the cancellation of the independence referendum that was originally scheduled to take place on November 9th, and offered instead to hold a "consultation of citizens."
Above: Bikers near the Circuit de Catalunya race track before the beginning of the ‘Motorada per la Independencia’ a motorcycle rally in support of Catalan independence.
Above: Bikers near the Circuit de Catalunya race track before the beginning of the ‘Motorada per la Independencia’ a motorcycle rally in support of Catalan independence.
