The Federalist: 1,800,000 people demand independence for Catalonia

Saturday, September 13, 2014

1,800,000 people demand independence for Catalonia

1st Scotland, Now Catalonia

As Scotland decides whether to break away from the UK, 1.8 million separatists in northeastern Spain stage mass protests across Catalonia to demand a secession vote deemed illegal by Spanish government.

Up to 1.8 million Catalans filled the streets of Barcelona on Thursday demanding the chance to hold a Scottish-style referendum on independence.

A week before Scotland goes to the polls on whether to break away from the United Kingdom, separatists in Spain’s northeastern region of Catalonia called for their own referendum as they celebrated their national day.

An official from Barcelona's nationalist-led city hall told reporters it estimated turnout for the demonstration at 1.8 million, but central government officials put the figure much lower.

The Spanish government delegation in Catalonia ‎calculated the figure at between 470,000 and 520,000, it said in a statement reports The Telegraph.

Catalans call for choice on split from Spain

Crowds dressed in the red and yellow national colours of Catalonia filled the streets of the region’s capital to form a giant "V" stretching seven miles - the "V" sign stands for via (way), voluntat (will), votar (vote) and victoria (victory).

Balconies across the city were draped in the estelada – the yellow and red stripped flag topped by a star set in a blue triangle – and the crowds were interspersed by people climbing on others’ shoulders to form the traditional Catalan “human castles”.

Earlier in the day Artur Mas, the president of the semi-autonomous region, said that Scotland’s upcoming vote would boost his own region’s bid for independence.

Catalonia is battling to hold its own Scottish-style vote on independence on November 9 but is on a collision course with the Spanish government of Mariano Rajoy after Madrid branded such a referendum illegal.

"If the yes wins (in Scotland) then all of the European governments will have to accept the result, including Madrid. And I am convinced that the negotiations between Brussels, London and Edinburgh will start very quickly with the goal to keep Scotland in the European Union."

"The consequences for us are important. It raises the question that if the Scottish people have the right to decide then why not the Catalan people."

Mr Mas has vowed to pass a regional law that he says will allow him to push ahead with the "consultation" vote, but his efforts risk being thwarted by Spain's Constitutional Court which is expected to rule against it later this month.

Independence
Europe's biggest rally ever? Up to 2 million
Catalans march for independence.

Catalans hold Catalan independentist flags (Estelada) during
celebrations of Catalonia National Day (Diada) in Barcelona
on September 11, 2014.
(AFP Photo / Lluis Gene)
See more at RT News

Anti-independence Catalans hold Spanish flags as they take part in
a demonstration for the unity of Spain in the centre of Barcelona
during Catalonia National Day (Diada) on September 11, 2014.
(AFP Photo / Josep Lago)

A biker with an independentist flag rides through Barcelona
during Catalonia National Day (Diada) on September 11, 2014.
(AFP Photo / Lluis Gene)

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Thomas Pinckney, Federalist

Commissioned as captain in the 1st South Carolina Regiment of the Continental Army. After seeing much action, he became an aide-de-camp to General Horatio Gates. He was captured by the British at the disastrous Battle of Camden in 1780. After recovering from his wounds, he was released in a prisoner exchange. In 1781 he fought under Lafayette in Virginia. Appointed by President George Washington to be the U.S. minister to Great Britain served as Envoy Extraordinary to Spain. The Federalist Party made him a candidate in the 1796 presidential election as the intended running-mate of John Adams. Served as Congressman and Governor of South Carolina. Served as a major general in the Army during the War of 1812.

Henry Lee III, Federalist

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James Hillhouse, Federalist

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William Bingham, Federalist

As a merchant he brought full loads of munitions & guns for the war. Served as a diplomat for Congress to France. Bingham marshaled the Second Troop of Philadelphia Light Horse. He served in the Continental Congress, 1st Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, State Senator, and US Senator. Federalists agreed to hold preliminary votings at the Bingham Estate before propositions were brought before Congress publicly, thus creating unanimity among party lines. Alexander Hamilton sought Bingham as his mentor in managing taxes, tariffs, and in constructing a national bank.

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David Cobb, Federalist

Cobb studied medicine in Boston and practiced in Taunton, Massachusetts. He was a member of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress in 1775; lieutenant colonel of Jackson’s regiment in 1777 and 1778, serving in Rhode Island and New Jersey; was aide-de-camp on the staff of General George Washington; appointed major general of militia in 1786. Fought in the New York and New Jersey Campaign, the Battles of Springfield, Monmouth, Rhode Island and Shay's Rebellion. He served the Federalist Party as Lt. Governor of Massachusetts, President of the State Senate and Congressman.

Josiah Parker, Federalist

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William Stephens Smith, Federalist

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John Rutledge, Jr., Federalist

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John Sergeant, Federalist

Member of the Pennsylvania state house of representatives 1808-1810; elected as a Federalist to Congress and served from 1815, to 1823. Sergeant was a strong backer of Henry Clay's American System and the Second Bank of the United States, and even traveled to Europe to negotiate loans to the Bank. He was a strong opponent of slavery who voted against the Missouri Compromise. In 1826 he was an envoy to the Panama Congress. Elected to Congress as an Adams candidate 1827 to 1829. Failing re-election he became legal counsel to the Bank of the United States. Sergeant was the Vice Presidential running mate in Henry Clay's campaign on the National Republican ticket in 1832. Elected as a Whig to Congress serving from 1837 to 1841.

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Philip Barton Key, Federalist

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