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Protesters slam Catalonia breakaway from Spain

Sunday, 31 January 2016 10:32 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 07 February 2016 6:55 AM ]

Demonstrators voice support for the unity of Spain at Catalonia square in Barcelona on January 31, 2016. (AFP)

Thousands of people have held a rally against the possible breakaway of the autonomous Spanish region of Catalonia.

On Sunday, political parties opposed to the push by Catalonia's government to break away from Spain gathered in the northeastern region's capital, Barcelona to call for an end to secessionism.

Protesters waved the Spanish, Catalan, and EU flags, calling on pro-independence parties to call off the process arguing that a breakaway would hurt the economy, take away resources and divide the country.

President of the Catalan Civil Society Organization, Rafael Arenas, addressed the gathering saying pro-independence politicians "are trying to rob us of Spain" while "promising heaven and earth" to gain support.

Back in November, the Catalan parliament voted in favor of a resolution to split from Spain by 2017.

Many Catalans in favor of independence believe the region would be more prosperous on its own.

The Spanish government has repeatedly ruled out the possibility of independence for Catalonia, a resource-rich region that provides at least one-fifth of Spain’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Many Catalans believe they are disproportionately taxed by the government in Madrid.

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