About 950,000 people gathered on Sunday in the center of the Catalan capital of Barcelona to express their protest against the possible proclamation of the region’s independence from Spain.
Activists with flags of Spain, Catalonia and the European Union marched from the Urquinaona Square to the Carrer de l'Argenteria, where famous writer, Nobel Prize Winner Mario Vargas Llosa as well as former President of the European Parliament Josep Borrell presented the manifesto in favor of the Spanish unity.
The protesters chanted calls for imprisoning Catalan President Carles Puigdemont and for the unity of Spain.
The rally was organized by the association Catalan Civil Society supported by leading Spanish parties including the People's Party and the Citizens party.
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.
A week ago more than 90 percent of voters cast their ballots in favor of proclaiming independence from Spain. Madrid has rejected the legitimacy of the plebiscite. Spanish King Felipe VI has described the referendum as "illegal and undemocratic," which "could have put at risk the economy of Catalonia and even of Spain."
