The demonstration is part of a stream of mobilisations called by a platform that includes civil organisations and parties with a majority of seats in the Catalan parliament, such as the ruling pro-independence coalition and Catalunya En Comú-Podem, which is in favor of self-determination.

“This will be Catalonia’s most important trial since the end of Franco’s dictatorship,” said David Fernàndez, a spokesperson for the platform, which is called ‘Self-determination is not a crime.’

General strike

The platform also backs a general strike called by the pro-independence Intersindical CSC union for February 21, a week after the trial is due to start in Spain’s Supreme Court.

Other protest actions include work stoppages on the trial’s start date, on February 12, as well as a demonstration on Barcelona’s Gran Via Avenue on February 16.

The post Rally against Catalan referendum trial called for March 16 in Madrid appeared first on VilaWeb.