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Photos From Catalonia’s Independence Vote (31 photos)

On Sunday, the Spanish region of Catalonia held a much-contested referendum on independence from Spain. The Spanish government long ago declared any such vote illegal and unconstitutional, and has worked for weeks to try and shut it down. As many Catalan voters tried to go to the banned polling stations on Sunday, they were met by national police officers in riot gear. Hundreds were injured as police clubbed, dragged, and fired rubber bullets at would-be voters. Of more than five million eligible Catalan voters, only 42 percent voted on Sunday, with 90 percent of the votes cast being pro-independence, according to Catalan officials. Catalonia’s government is now determining its next steps toward declaring independence, claiming the referendum shows a majority favors the move.

Catalan independence supporters march during a demonstration in downtown Barcelona, Spain, on October 2, 2017. Catalan leaders accused Spanish police of brutality and repression when they attempted to stop voting from taking place on Sunday, while the Spanish government praised the security forces for behaving firmly and proportionately. Videos and photographs of the police actions were on the front page of news media outlets around the world. (Felipe Dana / AP)
https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2017/10/catalonia-tk/541761/