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Protesters rally against Catalan independence in Barcelona
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People wave Spanish flags during a demonstration called by "Societat Civil Catalana" (Catalan Civil Society) to support the unity of Spain on Oct. 8, 2017 in Barcelona. Spain braced for more protests despite tentative signs that the sides may be seeking to defuse the crisis after Madrid offered a first apology to Catalans injured by police during their outlawed independence vote. (Agence France -Presse/Jorge Guerero)
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rotesters flocked to Barcelona on Sunday wrapped in Spanish flags to rally against plans by separatist leaders to declare Catalonia independent following a banned secession referendum.
Catalans calling themselves a "silent majority" opposed to leaving Spain broke their silence after a week of mounting anxiety over Spain's worst political crisis in a generation.
Hundreds of people gathered on the city's Urquinaona square waving red and yellow flags and singing "Viva Espana".
"We have perhaps been silent too long," Alejandro Marcos, 44, told AFP.
"It seems that the one who yells the most wins the argument. So we have to raise our voices and say loud and clear that we do not want independence."
Some protesters called for the region's separatist president Carles Puigdemont to go to jail for holding a vote on independence in defiance of the Spanish government and courts.
"The unity of Spain cannot be voted on or negotiated -- it must be defended," read one sign in the crowd.
Recent polls had indicated that Catalans are split on independence, though leaders said the violence during the referendum turned many against the state authorities.
On the eve of the rally, Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy issued a stern warning to Catalan leaders who have said they could declare independence this week.
He did not rule out suspending Catalonia's regional autonomy -- a move that could risk sparking unrest.
"I rule out absolutely nothing that is allowed for under the law," he said in an interview published in El Pais newspaper.
"The ideal would be not to have to take drastic measures," he said.
"I would like this threat of a declaration of independence to be withdrawn as quickly as possible."
