bonzobanana on 03 October 2017
I think most didn't understand why the Spanish government didn't just ignore the vote as it had no legal basis. The people that supported independence would vote and those that didn't wouldn't bother as it was illegal. Any result would have zero value but instead they used violence which was pretty shocking and un-necessary. It seems such a poorly judged decision to send the police in that it gives the Catalonian people a huge boost in moral superiority and makes it look like they should have the right to leave, as the Spanish government has lost a huge amount of respect worldwide. Watching the news you couldn't help but side with the catalonians seeking independence who looked like the victims of an oppressive state.
