Nastily …
I know I’ve been following the news.
Given one of my regular readers is Catalan, and that I spent a lot of happy family holidays in the region?
I’ve kept my eye on the Independence referendum.
I feel — whether Catalonia stays or goes? — is that the referendum is a good idea: it gets it out of the way for a generation or two.
I think the recent one in Spain?
Had been badly organised.
Going what I’ve seen happen, here in the UK, I know these things raise huge passions but were basically accepted by central government.
The Scottish Independence Referendum was a win, Brexit, a loss.
And Britain the poorer for it.
But at least in a position to say they were done, well.
But here’s my point.
Westminster backed both.
As a result, both went peacefully. Although, with the Brexit Referendum? That saw argument on the street, like nothing I’ve ever seen.
Spain’s central government?
Chose to declare the Catalan referendum illegal: and chose to send in the police, and Guardia Civil.
Apparently, eight hundred and forty-four people have been hurt.
Police in Barcelona have used rubber bullets.
Rubber … bullets …
The last time I heard those had been used, was back in the 1970s, during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Against — and I know there’s arguments about the word — terrorists.
Terrorists and paramilitaries.
Armed enemies of the state.
Not ordinary voters.
Early indications say ninety percent of people voted for Independence.
I can’t say I blame them!
And can’t help think it’s the Spanish equivalent to Bloody Sunday.
It’s going to have that deep an effect on everyone.
~≈Ê≈~
