MADRID (Sputnik) — Two mass meetings are simultaneously being held in Madrid. The supporters of Spain's unity have mobilized in the Columbus Square, while another rally in support of the reconciliation and dialogue between Madrid and Barcelona has been organized in the Cibeles Square.
"We have taken to the streets in order to make the politicians negotiate and find a political solution, to say that it is necessary to start a dialogue," a participant of the rally told Sputnik.
A mass meeting for reconciliation is also being held in Barcelona in Saint James' Square, where the Palace of the Generalitat of Catalonia (the Catalan government) and Barcelona's City Hall are located.
Madrid now, same Barcelona. People fly white flag to demand leaders end confrontation & dialogue on #Catalonia #parlem #hablemos pic.twitter.com/PstxrKFJVZ
— Kristina Kausch (@kristinakausch) 7 октября 2017 г.
Europe, citizens in Madrid and Barcelona have a message for you: we urgently need dialogue! #parlem7O #hablemos7O pic.twitter.com/EXAC5Q6gdG
— Ernest Urtasun (@ernesturtasun) 7 октября 2017 г.
Catalonia's independence referendum, which is not recognized by the Spanish authorities, was held on Sunday. The official results of the vote show that 90.18 percent, or more than 2.28 million voters, favored the secession of Catalonia from Spain, with the turnout exceeding 43 percent. On Tuesday, Spanish King Felipe VI said that the actions of the Catalan government were illegal, accusing it of "inadmissible disloyalty."
Protests in Madrid and Barcelona asking for dialogue. "No flags. No hate. No violence". #ParlemHablamos pic.twitter.com/gJM91iUC84
— JA Bayona (@FilmBayona) 7 октября 2017 г.
On October 10, the Catalan parliament is expected to hold a session, during which it might launch the process of Catalonia's secession from Spain.