Catalans inspired by watching what they are not allowed to do: vote

Palma.—This is not only an important week for the future of Scotland but Catalonia as well and that is why hundreds of Catalans were in Scotland yesterday either monitoring events or helping support the yes campaign.
Majorcan Tomeu Marti, President of the pro-Catalan think tank Grup Blanquerna, has been on the ground in Edinburgh since Tuesday monitoring events for himself and keeping the Bulletin informed about what effect the vote for independence will have on Catalonia and Spain.
And today, as the results of the Scottish referendum will be revealed, Catalonia will launch the next phase in its attempt to break away from Spain and a yes vote in Scotland will give that process even more impetus, Marti explained from outside the Scottish parliament building yesterday lunch time by which time  50 percent of the 97 percent of the population which had registered vote had already done so.
“The turn out has been amazing, right from the moment the polling stations opened, it’s been non stop and that’s very encouraging for us, that’s what we went to see in Catalonia when Catalans are ‘consulted’ about whether they want a referendum or not on 9 November.
“I have met hundreds of Catalans, in fact the Catalan Centre in Edinburgh has had to hire a special hall so they can all watch the results come in together but that’s already full.
“But, nevertheless, they are here, like me, to see history in the making.
“For the Catalans, watching the Scots being allowed to vote in a referendum on independence is so important because in Spain, the government is doing everything it can to deny Catalans the right to vote and have a say about their future. Watching this is giving them all extra determination, especially as tomorrow (Friday) the Catalan government will pass a new law which will pave the way for the region to call non-binding consultations. This will not only set the course for the 9 November  ‘consultation’ but also  mean that Spain would effectively bury the ‘old Spain’ and rediscover that it is a country made up of several nations,” he said.