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Catalan referendum: 38 injured amid reports of rubber bullets fired by Spanish police - live Catalan referendum: 38 injured amid reports of rubber bullets fired by Spanish police - live
(35 minutes later)
11.51am BST
11:51
Videos of police brutality against voters are going viral on social media. Spanish journalist Héctor Juanatey has posted footage of police forcibly removing voters outside a polling station at Guinardò market in Barcelona.
Que no se le olvide a nadie.Iban-a-votar 👇pic.twitter.com/9KkF7BTw6h
Another video shows police dragging a voter out of polling station by their hair at Ramon Llull school in the Catalan capital.
Esto es un colegio.Un CEIP en el que se iba a votar.En serio. pic.twitter.com/7zxH8GZz8o
11.41am BST
11:41
Catalan local media are reporting today’s La Liga game between Barcelona and Las Palmas may be suspended after Las Palmas announced a Spanish flag has been embodied on their kit to show support for “the unity of Spain.”
In a statement, the club said: “Today, what we do is very simple. With the Spanish flag embroidered in our equipment we want to vote unequivocally in an imaginary vote to which nobody has summoned us: we believe in the unity of Spain.”
COMUNICADO OFICIAL https://t.co/okzQAcyTj7 pic.twitter.com/5nt9GpjnwX
11.30am BST
11:30
Barcelona’s footballers have expressed their support for today’s referendum. Former captain Carles Puyol tweeted “voting is democracy” this morning, while Catalan defender Gerard Piqué posted a photo casting a vote.
Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez said what is happening in Catalonia is “an embarrassment”, and called for the Spanish state to let Catalans vote in peace.
VÍDEO. Xavi Hernández: “El que està passant a Catalunya és una vergonya” #fcblive #1OCatRadio pic.twitter.com/7M23DfwgkZ
Ja he votat. Junts som imparables defensant la democràcia. pic.twitter.com/mGXf7Qj1TM
Votar es democracia!
Updated
at 11.37am BST
11.17am BST11.17am BST
11:1711:17
Catalan president Carles Puigdemont has told reporters that “violence will not stop Catalans from voting.” The Catalan government says 38 people have been treated by emergency services in the disorder. The Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont, has told reporters that “violence will not stop Catalans from voting”. The Catalan government says 38 people have been treated by emergency services in the disorder.
Statement by Catalan President Carles Puigdemont: Violence won't deter Catalans' desire to vote https://t.co/v9ylHZgsGoStatement by Catalan President Carles Puigdemont: Violence won't deter Catalans' desire to vote https://t.co/v9ylHZgsGo
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11.07am BST11.07am BST
11:0711:07
Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon has tweeted about the violent scenes seen in some parts of Catalonia this morning. The Scottish first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has tweeted about the ”shocking” scenes in some parts of Catalonia this morning.
Some of the scenes in #Catalonia this morning are quite shocking and surely unnecessary. Just let people vote. https://t.co/nM1KT8EHVSSome of the scenes in #Catalonia this morning are quite shocking and surely unnecessary. Just let people vote. https://t.co/nM1KT8EHVS
Updated
at 11.38am BST
11.00am BST11.00am BST
11:0011:00
38 people treated by emergency services38 people treated by emergency services
Catalonia’s government says 38 people have been treated by emergency services due to “repression by Spanish police.” Catalonia’s government says 38 people have been treated by emergency services due to “repression by Spanish police”.
Catalonia’s emergency services have treated 38 people who have been injured as a result of the repression by Spanish policeCatalonia’s emergency services have treated 38 people who have been injured as a result of the repression by Spanish police
Updated
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10.54am BST10.54am BST
10:5410:54
The Spanish interior minister, Juan Ignacio Zoido, has described the response of the Guardia Civil and Spanish police as “proportional and professional”, posting a video of an officer helping a father and child in Sant Julia de Ramis, Girona.The Spanish interior minister, Juan Ignacio Zoido, has described the response of the Guardia Civil and Spanish police as “proportional and professional”, posting a video of an officer helping a father and child in Sant Julia de Ramis, Girona.
Proporcionalidad y profesionalidad. Así actúan la @guardiacivil y la @policia, como este agente dialogando con un padre. #EstamosporTI pic.twitter.com/TX54CDjfJyProporcionalidad y profesionalidad. Así actúan la @guardiacivil y la @policia, como este agente dialogando con un padre. #EstamosporTI pic.twitter.com/TX54CDjfJy
10.42am BST10.42am BST
10:4210:42
Barcelona mayor calls on Spanish PM to resignBarcelona mayor calls on Spanish PM to resign
Barcelona’s mayor, Ada Colau, has called on the Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, to resign and demanded police stop using violence against voters.Barcelona’s mayor, Ada Colau, has called on the Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, to resign and demanded police stop using violence against voters.
Police action against the peaceful population must stop. Today, in Catalonia and in the state, we have to demand it. #ResignRajoyPolice action against the peaceful population must stop. Today, in Catalonia and in the state, we have to demand it. #ResignRajoy
Las actuaciones policiales contra población pacífica deben parar. Hoy todos, en Catalunya y en el Estado, tenemos que exigir #RajoyDimisiónLas actuaciones policiales contra población pacífica deben parar. Hoy todos, en Catalunya y en el Estado, tenemos que exigir #RajoyDimisión
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.50am BSTat 10.50am BST
10.37am BST10.37am BST
10:3710:37
Videos of Spanish police removing ballot boxes at Ramon Llull school in Barcelona while voters chant “we will vote” have been posted on social media.Videos of Spanish police removing ballot boxes at Ramon Llull school in Barcelona while voters chant “we will vote” have been posted on social media.
Référendum en Catalogne: la police enlève les urnes à l'école Ramon Llull https://t.co/f3bpU61Z5D @ClaraVera14 pic.twitter.com/nwcPKQIENsRéférendum en Catalogne: la police enlève les urnes à l'école Ramon Llull https://t.co/f3bpU61Z5D @ClaraVera14 pic.twitter.com/nwcPKQIENs
10.26am BST10.26am BST
10:2610:26
Sam JonesSam Jones
The Guardian’s Madrid correspondent Sam Jones has been speaking to more voters:The Guardian’s Madrid correspondent Sam Jones has been speaking to more voters:
Joaquin Pons, 89, was also delighted to have cast his ballot, as he had done in the symbolic referendum held three years ago.Joaquin Pons, 89, was also delighted to have cast his ballot, as he had done in the symbolic referendum held three years ago.
“Last time it was cardboard ballot boxes,” he said. “This time they were real. It was very emotional.” Pons said that he felt Catalans had had little choice but to proceed unilaterally.“Last time it was cardboard ballot boxes,” he said. “This time they were real. It was very emotional.” Pons said that he felt Catalans had had little choice but to proceed unilaterally.
“It would have been nice if we could all have stayed together in Spain but the Madrid government has made it impossible. It’s sad but that’s the way it is.”“It would have been nice if we could all have stayed together in Spain but the Madrid government has made it impossible. It’s sad but that’s the way it is.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.36am BSTat 10.36am BST
10.23am BST10.23am BST
10:2310:23
There are still long lines of people waiting to cast their vote across Catalonia. El Pais journalist Alfonso Congostrina has posted a video of voters queuing round the corner in central Barcelona.There are still long lines of people waiting to cast their vote across Catalonia. El Pais journalist Alfonso Congostrina has posted a video of voters queuing round the corner in central Barcelona.
Enorme cola para votar #referendumCat en local @govern en c/ Baluard #barceloneta #CatalanReferendum #1Oct2017 pic.twitter.com/ffJ6kODJbKEnorme cola para votar #referendumCat en local @govern en c/ Baluard #barceloneta #CatalanReferendum #1Oct2017 pic.twitter.com/ffJ6kODJbK
10.13am BST10.13am BST
10:1310:13
Sam JonesSam Jones
Blai Antonio, a 76-year-old retired taxi driver emerged from the polling station at the Escuela Mireia triumphant and with tears in his eyes. Pushing through a cheering crowd, he said: “The experience of being able to vote has given me a satisfaction I could never have dreamed of. It would have been impossible under Franco – although his heirs are still in power. Catalan independence is important so that we can live in a democracy, which Spain isn’t. We send all our money to the government and get crumbs in return.”Blai Antonio, a 76-year-old retired taxi driver emerged from the polling station at the Escuela Mireia triumphant and with tears in his eyes. Pushing through a cheering crowd, he said: “The experience of being able to vote has given me a satisfaction I could never have dreamed of. It would have been impossible under Franco – although his heirs are still in power. Catalan independence is important so that we can live in a democracy, which Spain isn’t. We send all our money to the government and get crumbs in return.”
Antonio said that, unlike some others, he had been able to vote in peace. “The oppressive police haven’t come here yet but we still have the whole day ahead of us and they could come and steal the ballot boxes with our votes in them. We just want to be able to vote free of the oppression of any state.”Antonio said that, unlike some others, he had been able to vote in peace. “The oppressive police haven’t come here yet but we still have the whole day ahead of us and they could come and steal the ballot boxes with our votes in them. We just want to be able to vote free of the oppression of any state.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.26am BSTat 10.26am BST
10.04am BST10.04am BST
10:0410:04
Stephen BurgenStephen Burgen
Catalan government spokesman Jordi Turull has announced that 73% of polling stations have been able to open and asked for patience as “there are constant attacks on the computer system”.Catalan government spokesman Jordi Turull has announced that 73% of polling stations have been able to open and asked for patience as “there are constant attacks on the computer system”.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.28am BSTat 10.28am BST
9.52am BST9.52am BST
09:5209:52
'Rubber bullets fired by Spanish police''Rubber bullets fired by Spanish police'
There are several reports on social media of Spanish police firing rubber bullets at people queuing to vote in the referendum. Princeton researcher Jordi Graupera posted a video of what appears to be a member of the Guardia Civil firing into the crowd.There are several reports on social media of Spanish police firing rubber bullets at people queuing to vote in the referendum. Princeton researcher Jordi Graupera posted a video of what appears to be a member of the Guardia Civil firing into the crowd.
La poli surt disparant pic.twitter.com/4RyFWkaq3XLa poli surt disparant pic.twitter.com/4RyFWkaq3X
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.26am BSTat 10.26am BST
9.40am BST9.40am BST
09:4009:40
The Spanish interior ministry has asked Catalan schools to collaborate with their operation to halt the referendum. A video of Spanish police confiscating urns in a sports hall in Sant Carles de la Rápita, Tarragona, was also posted on its Twitter page.The Spanish interior ministry has asked Catalan schools to collaborate with their operation to halt the referendum. A video of Spanish police confiscating urns in a sports hall in Sant Carles de la Rápita, Tarragona, was also posted on its Twitter page.
Agentes de la @guardiacivil requisan las urnas instaladas en el pabellón deportivo de Sant Carles de la Rápita, Tarragona#EstamosporTI pic.twitter.com/AHMpbUSQAzAgentes de la @guardiacivil requisan las urnas instaladas en el pabellón deportivo de Sant Carles de la Rápita, Tarragona#EstamosporTI pic.twitter.com/AHMpbUSQAz
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.46am BSTat 9.46am BST
9.27am BST9.27am BST
09:2709:27
Sam JonesSam Jones
Despite several reports of polling stations being closed down by Spanish police across Catalonia, the Guardian’s Sam Jones says hundreds of people are still queuing up to vote at Cervantes primary school and Escuela Mireia in Barcelona. People waiting in line to vote are cheering those who have already managed to do so.Despite several reports of polling stations being closed down by Spanish police across Catalonia, the Guardian’s Sam Jones says hundreds of people are still queuing up to vote at Cervantes primary school and Escuela Mireia in Barcelona. People waiting in line to vote are cheering those who have already managed to do so.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.37am BSTat 10.37am BST
9.16am BST9.16am BST
09:1609:16
Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias has also been reacting to the intervention by Spanish police.Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias has also been reacting to the intervention by Spanish police.
He writes: “Bumps, shoves, old women dragged. What the PP is doing to our democracy is repugnant to me. Corrupt, hypocritical, useless. Is this your ‘victory’ Mariano Rajoy?”He writes: “Bumps, shoves, old women dragged. What the PP is doing to our democracy is repugnant to me. Corrupt, hypocritical, useless. Is this your ‘victory’ Mariano Rajoy?”
Porrazos, empujones, ancianas arrastradas. Lo que está haciendo el PP a nuestra democracia me repugna. Corruptos, hipócritas, inútilesPorrazos, empujones, ancianas arrastradas. Lo que está haciendo el PP a nuestra democracia me repugna. Corruptos, hipócritas, inútiles
¿Esta es vuestra "victoria" @marianorajoy ? #NoEnMiNombre pic.twitter.com/5HHbgRu6Ja¿Esta es vuestra "victoria" @marianorajoy ? #NoEnMiNombre pic.twitter.com/5HHbgRu6Ja
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.27am BSTat 9.27am BST