Violence in Catalonia: the political class in quebec outraged

News 1 October, 2017
  • Photo AFP
    The Spanish police violently cracked down on citizens who tried to vote in the referendum on the independence of the catalan people.

    QMI agency

    Sunday, October 1, 2017 13:22

    UPDATE
    Sunday, October 1, 2017 15:00

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    Several quebec political figures have denounced Sunday the events that occurred in Catalonia, where the Spanish police violently cracked down on citizens who tried to vote in the referendum on the independence of the catalan people.

    • READ ALSO: Referendum in Catalunya: nearly 500 injured in violent clashes
    • READ ALSO: Referendum: striking images of the violence in Catalonia
    • READ ALSO: Joseph Facal minister of state in Catalonia: the law of the strongest

    Deemed illegal by Madrid, the referendum was derailed due to the intervention muscular of the national police to prevent the Catalans to decide on their future. The security forces have forced several polling stations, in particular, to seize the ballot boxes. A total of 319 polling stations on 2315 have been closed by the police authorities, said the Spanish Interior ministry.

    “There is not a constitution that encourages people to become independent. There is nothing surprising, said Manon Massé in an interview with TVA News.

    “What is surprising is that for weeks, the population of Catalonia keeps repeating that she wants to vote, whether for or against independence. It is in the process of removing an entire people their civic right, their right, pure, that of being able to express his or her wishes,” said the co-spokesperson of Québec solidaire, who visited Spain especially for the event.

    According to the latest information provided by the catalan government, 761 people have been injured during police interventions. Most were treated for minor injuries.

    Unanimous reactions

    The prime minister Philippe Couillard followed the situation closely on Sunday. “Quebec condemns any form of violence. The answer: the dialogue between the parties”, said the leader of the Quebec liberal Party via Twitter.

    #Catalonia: we are monitoring the situation closely. #Quebec condemns any form of violence. The answer: the dialogue between the parties.

    — Philippe Couillard (@phcouillard) 1 October 2017

    The leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec has also reacted on the social media. “I deplore the use of force and repression by the Spanish State to counteract the holding of the referendum in Catalonia”, commented François Legault.

    I deplore the use of force and repression by the Spanish State to counteract the holding of the referendum in Catalonia.

    — François Legault (@francoislegault) 1 October 2017

    Several members of the sovereignty movement in quebec have commented the situation on Twitter. This is the case of the co-spokesperson of Québec solidaire. Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois. “Images from Catalonia are revolting. Courage to the democrats, shame on the Spanish government!”

    The images from #Catalonia are revolting. Courage to the democrats, shame on the Spanish government! #1Oct #CatalunyaVota

    — Gabriel NadeauDubois (@GNadeauDubois) 1 October 2017

    Jean-François Lisée, for his part, hailed the catalan people “standing in front of the unworthy and shameful violence of the Spanish State”.

    I greet the catalan people standing in front of the unworthy and shameful violence of the Spanish State #ReferendumCatalogne

    — Jean-François Lisée (@JFLisee) 1 October 2017

    The leader of the Parti Québécois has also denounced the silence of Europe in the face of the images that have toured the planet since the beginning of the day.

    “A black day for Europe and democracy. All leaders must denounce Spain”, he said on Twitter.

    A black day for Europe and democracy. All leaders must denounce Spain. #CatalanReferendum pic.twitter.com/uvFy0ALh4S

    — Jean-François Lisée (@JFLisee) 1 October 2017

    “Silence complicit in this attack against democracy have already a place reserved in the history books,” added the mna for Bourget, Maka Kotto, on the social networks.

    The silences complicit in this attack against democracy have already a place reserved in the history books. #CatalanReferendum

    — Maka Kotto (@Maka_Kotto) 1 October 2017