(11 Sep 2020) Supporters of Catalonia's secession from the rest of Spain gathered in small groups around the north east region on Friday under orders from event organisers to maintain social distancing amid a spike in coronavirus cases.
Separatists have gathered on September 11 by the hundreds of thousands and packed downtown Barcelona for several years, but this year the Catalan government's health authorities banned gatherings of more than 10 people with the virus on the rebound in Spain.
The movement's leaders now are involved in political in-fighting, as well as struggling to handle the health crisis caused by the virus.
The National Secretary for the separatist Catalan National Assembly (ANC), Adria Alsina, described the parties' recent struggles.
"We aren't happy with the way pro-independence political parties are behaving. They have fallen for this strategy from the central government with round table discussions that won't lead nowhere," said Alsina.
For years, polls have shown Catalonia's 7.5 million residents roughly evenly divided on the independence decision.
Still, one of the demonstrators that showed on Friday felt optimistic about a future Catalonian state.
"I think if we're all together, things will go much better for us. But I always say our goal is independence. And then we will decide which colour we will paint it. I hope someday politicians understand that. So we can all pull in the same direction," said Jordi Mercader.
Friday's demonstration comes as the Catalonia's regional president and fervent separatist Quim Torra faces possible removal from office after disobeying a court request to take down what was considered a politically charged banner, in violation of an election law.
Torra could call a regional election before being removed, but separatists aligned with his Together for Catalonia alliance are also considering that he hold onto his post in defiance of the court.
In either case, the four major parties composing the pro-secession bloc in the regional parliament are preparing for an election at some point in the coming months.
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