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Reverse chronology of how we got to today: October 27, 2017, Parliament will meet to decide whether to proclaim the Catalan Republic.👇 
October 26, President said he had offered elections if Spain backed off of taking control of Catalan govt, police, media. Spain said No.
Spanish Senate refused to hear arguments from Catalan delegate. Court rejected appeal from Catalans that use of 155 was illegal.
Spanish government approves use of Article 155 to take over control of Catalan govt, remove Pres/VP/cabinet, control police and media
Oct 10: Catalan President says referendum gives mandate for independence, but he'll set it aside to give room for dialogue. Spain says No.
Oct 1: Catalans insist on voting, despite being beaten at polling stations by marauding Spanish police. More than 2M vote. 90% Yes.
Spanish govt tries everything to stop referendum: confiscating posters and ballots, arresting officials, closing websites, threatening fines
Sept 11, 2017: 1M+ in Barcelona to demand that referendum be maintained despite Spanish prohibition. Non-violent democracy.
Sept 2016: Catalan govt promises official, binding referendum; Catalan president promises to implement results. If 50%+1 Yes-> Independence
Sept 11, 2016: Five cities in Catalonia host massive demonstrations, they are ready for independence. Cheerful, insistent, non-violent.
Jan 2016: New Catalan government with Carles Puigdemont as president, broad support: center right, left, center and anti-capitalist left.
Spain says you didn't get more than half the votes, so it doesn't count. We won't listen to your concerns.
Sept 27, 2015: Catalan Parliamentary elections: 48% for indy parties, 39% for unionist parties, 11% for no position/sovereigntists
Sept 11, 2015: 1M+ demand democratic regeneration, solidarity, openness, equality, sustainability… and Catalan independence.
Spain says No, Never, uh uh.
Nov 2014: "Participatory process" non-offical non-binding referendum: 1.8M Yes, President says elections necessary to validate result.
Sept 11, 2014: 1.5M demonstrate in Barcelona in huge Catalan-flag-striped letter V for Vote. Non-violent, massive, engaged.
Dec 2013: Agreement on question/date for non-binding referendum: Do you want Catalonia to be a State? An independent one? Nov 9, 2014
Sept 11, 2013: 1.6M form 400km human chain, the Catalan Way, to demand a referendum on Catalan independence. Non-violent democracy.
#CatalanPresident calls snap elections for Nov, 2012. His party loses seats but independence surges.
CatalanPresident goes to Madrid to ask for better financial deal instead of independence. Rajoy slams door in his face: No, Never.
Sept 11, 2012: 1.2M demonstrate in Barcelona demanding Catalonia: Next State in Europe. Peaceful and massive.
July 10, 2010: 1M protest Spanish Constitutional Court ruling stripping Catalan Statue of Autonomy of key articles: nation, language
Sept 13, 2009: First non-binding poll on Catalan independence in Arenys de Munt, pop 8000. Better turnout than for Statute. YES= 96.2%.
June 2009: Popular initiative to call independence referendum is rejected in Catalan Parliament.
2006 Spanish Constitutional Court begins to deliberate on Statute. Some judges are political appointees, many irregularities. 4 years go by
Catalan Statute of Autonomy is passed in referendum, approved by Cat and Sp Parliaments, signed by king. PP then challenges it in court.
Feb 2006: First big demonstration demanding Catalan right to decide in face of stripped down Statute of Autonomy.
2000-2006: Good faith effort, many concessions by Catalans to find better fit in Spain. Spanish pols arrogantly boast whittling down.
1979: First Statute of Autonomy for Catalonia post dictatorship
1978: Spanish Constitution, passed in Catalonia in good-faith effort to support fledgling democracy
1977: Catalan Government (Generalitat) is restored after Franco dictatorship (note: before Spanish Constitution)
1975: Dictator Franco dies in his bed after brutal 40 years, suppressed Catalan language, traditions, democracy
I could go back forever: "Civil" war against Catalonia, Catalonia's progressive self govt in 20's and 30's, repression in 1714…
Questions welcome. Insults not so much. Also see here: lizcastro.com
