I advocate for any group of people to embrace their own self determination. Be it Catalonia, or Kurdistan or south Sudan. The right of self determination is paramount to freedom.

^^ Yes.

The wealthy northeastern region of Catalonia, with its own language and culture, has long claimed to be distinct from the rest of the country and on Sunday held a referendum on leaving Spain, a vote the constitutional court had banned.

The Catalan authorities say that a majority of those who voted supported a split from Spain. Madrid says secession is illegal under the country’s 1978 constitution.

The political stand-off has divided the country, pushed banks and companies to move their headquarters outside Catalonia and shaken market confidence in the Spanish economy, prompting calls from the European Commission for Catalan and Spanish leaders to find a political solution.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/...s-rise-idUKKBN1CC0CS

There is no "political solution" as long as one side seeks to impose its' will and prevent the self determination of its' people.

Catalan Separatist Leader: "Spain Leaves No Option But To Proclaim New Republic"

Update: Just hours after Puigdemont snubbed Madrid, canceling his visit to The Senate to discuss their imposition of Article 155, Catalan Deputy First Minister Oriol Junqueras told AP that the Spanish government had left Catalonia “no other option” but to proclaim a new republic.

Mr. Junqueras told the AP he was commenting as leader of his party, Republican Catalan Left, not as a member of the regional government.

Additionally, Puigdemont posted a defiant Instagram message: "We will not lose time with those who have already decided to crush Catalan self-government. Onwards!"

The situation is escalating quickly.

* * *

As we detailed earlier, in a sudden, and perhaps ominous, last minute change, the First Minister of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, will now not travel to Madrid on Thursday evening to appear before the Senate, and has brought forward the Catalan Parliament plenary session to vote on a response to Madrid's application of Article 155.

Just hours after a PP spokesman confirmed that elections are no longer enough to stop Article 155 process to suspend home rule in Catalonia, El Pais reports, Catalan president Carles Puigdemont won’t appear before the Senate Thursday, citing unidentified people in PDeCAT party in the Congress.

The Catalan Parliament plenary session is now to start Thursday, and will vote response to application of article 155 of the Spanish constitution.

Bloomberg also reports that Catalan Separatists tell supporters that "the moment has come," to "defend the republic."

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/...cels-parliament-appe

Whenever I read about these sorts of separatist movements, I’m reminded of an observation by Donald Kagan in the book On the Origins of War and the Preservation of Peace (New York: Anchor Books, 1995):

“Focus on ethnic differences as a fundamental basis for social and political arrangements seems to intensify ethnic separatism and mutual hostility.”

Otherwise I guess I’ve become too jaded by international events to think much one way or t’other. As for what’s happening in the same vein in this country today, though ….

quote:

Originally posted by FenderBender:
I advocate for any group of people to embrace their own self determination. Be it Catalonia, or Kurdistan or south Sudan. The right of self determination is paramount to freedom.

California?

quote:

Originally posted by braillediver:

quote:

Originally posted by FenderBender:
I advocate for any group of people to embrace their own self determination. Be it Catalonia, or Kurdistan or south Sudan. The right of self determination is paramount to freedom.

California?

I don't think the bulk of Californians are as united in that regard as the Catalonians are.

flashguy

quote:

California?
***
I don't think the bulk of Californians are as united in that regard as the Catalonians are.

Yes, California. It's a universal principle.
The right of self determination is paramount to freedom.

California has become unsustainable as it exists today. We can allow it to be a parasite.... or, what?
Well, there's another thread on California....

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...35/m/8870047314/p/20

quote:

Originally posted by tacfoley:

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:much as London would be if Scotland and Wales became independent of the British Empire.

What British Empire?

tac

And now... the fun begins:

* *
It's Official! The Catalan Parliament has just voted for independence - 70 'Yes' (needed 68), 10 'No', 2 blank.

As AP reports, Catalan separatist lawmakers pass motion to establish a new republic independent of Spain, as the opposition boycotts the vote...

“We constitute the Catalan Republic, as an independent and sovereign country, under the rule of law,” said the preamble to the resolution, read out by speaker Carme Forcadell before the ballot.

Catalan vice-president Oriol Junqueras tweeted...

What happens next is anyone's guess, but we suspect it will involve heavy police state intervention and the Franco-ian regime that separatists fear will rear its ugly head.

Chaos Unleashed: Catalan Parliament Votes For Independence, Spain Activates "Nuclear Option"

Update 3: Spain’s top prosecutor will seek rebellion charges for those responsible for a vote in favor of declaring an independent Catalan republic, an official Spanish spokesman said according to The Independent. The spokesman said the prosecutor is looking to determine if the charges should be limited to the Catalan cabinet, including President Carles Puigdemont and Vice President Oriol Junqueras, or if they should also include members of the parliament’s governing board and lawmakers.

The official, who spoke under condition of anonymity in line with internal rules, said the charges could be brought as early as Monday. As Mr. Maza warned,"The rebellion crime is punishable by 30 years in prison if it is a crime of considerable gravity, of course...if the Catalan police did not comply with the order, Spain would take over control of the force."

As a reminder, and as The Spain Report tweeted what happened the last time the Catalan republic was declared, in 1934:, there was i) State of war; ii) Lasted 10 hours and iii) led to 46 dead in Barcelona.

Puigdemont has called on fellow separatists to remain peaceful ahead of the expected crackdown by Spanish authorities. Facing a crowd of hundreds of supporters packing Catalonia’s parliament building, he said: “In the days ahead we must keep to our values of pacificism and dignity. It’s in our, in your hands to build the republic.” Good luck.

* * *

Update 2: Article 155 is now official, after Spain's Constitutional Court lists the series of measures allowing central government to force Catalonia regional administration to obey national law. The two-page document was published Friday in Spain's Official Gazette, in step necessary to becoming law. The measures approved by the Senate follow government proposal, under Article 155 of Constitution. By way of explanation, the actions were taken due to “extraordinary seriousness of the breach of constitutional obligations and the carrying out actions gravely against the general interest” by Catalonia institutions.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/...-independence-motion

Hang on a sec.

70 yes, 10 no, 2 blank, and 53 did not vote in protest.

quote:

Originally posted by FenderBender:
I advocate for any group of people to embrace their own self determination. Be it Catalonia, or Kurdistan or south Sudan. The right of self determination is paramount to freedom.

CSA, 1861-1865.