Catalonia workers strike for independence

A general strike in Spain’s region of Catalonia on Tuesday brought large parts of Barcelona and other cities to a standstill. Thousands of Catalans rallied and blocked roads to protest over Spanish police violence during Sunday’s independence referendum. Nearly 900 people were injured at the weekend in a crackdown against voters and referendum staff. The Spanish government declared that the referendum was illegal and ordered the police to break it up. Spain’s King Felipe VI has condemned the organizers of the referendum. In a televised address to the nation, he said they had put themselves “outside the law”. He said the situation in Catalonia was “extremely serious” and called for national unity.

The mayor of Barcelona told reporters that the Catalan people deserved to have a vote on independence. She said: “What we need is a democratic response. And we need a political solution. And we need an inclusive solution that listens to the cries of millions of people.” She also called for the resignation of Spain’s prime minister. More unrest could be on the cards. Any declaration of independence by the Catalans could plunge Spain into a further constitutional crisis and risk the break-up of the country. Other regions could follow Catalonia’s example and have their own referendum. Spain’s president has called on the international community to help mediate between the two sides.

1. TRUE / FALSE: 

1. Striking workers blocked many roads in Barcelona.                           T / F
2. Over 1,000 people were injured by police in Catalonia on Sunday.     T / F
3. Spain’s king said the referendum organizers were outside the law.     T / F
4. The Spanish king called for Spaniards to be united.                           T / F
5. Barcelona’s mayor said Catalans deserved to have a referendum.      T / F
6. Barcelona’s mayor said there no democratic response is necessary.   T / F
7. The mayor doesn’t think Spain’s prime minister should resign.           T / F
8. Spain’s president said he would mediate between the two sides.        T / F

2. PROTESTS: What would you protest over? How would you protest?

3.INDEPENDENCE: Rank these. Put the most important things an independent country needs at the top.

_____ patriotic people           _____ a national anthem _____ a strong army

_____ a constitution              _____ a flag       _____ secure borders

_____ UN acceptance           _____ a strong economy _____   honest politicians

4.DISCUSSION: 

1. Should Catalonia be able to become independent?
2. Why do you think Spain is against Catalan independence?
3. What would happen if Catalonia became independent?
4. What advice do you have for Spain’s government?
5. What would happen if other Spanish regions wanted independence?
6. What damage could this situation do to the rest of Europe?
7. What is the probability of a civil war in Spain?
8. What advice do you have for Catalans?
9. How can the international community help?
10. How unified is your country?
11. Is there any region in Brazil that could become independent?
12. Would you stand for or against it?
13. What would the consequences to our country be?

5.PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER:

(    )     The mayor of Barcelona told reporters that the Catalan people deserved to have a vote on

(    )     the law”. He said the situation in Catalonia was “extremely serious” and called for national unity.

(  1  )     A general strike in Spain’s region of Catalonia on Tuesday brought large parts of Barcelona and other cities to a

(    )     own referendum. Spain’s president has called on the international community to help mediate between the two sides.

(    )     illegal and ordered the police to break it up. Spain’s King Felipe VI has condemned the organizers

(    )     crisis and risk the break-up of the country. Other regions could follow Catalonia’s example and have their

(    )     of the referendum. In a televised address to the nation, he said they had put themselves “outside

(    )     during Sunday’s independence referendum. Nearly 900 people were injured at the weekend in a crackdown

(    )     independence. She said: “What we need is a democratic response. And we need a political

(    )     standstill. Thousands of Catalans rallied and blocked roads to protest over Spanish police violence

(    )     against voters and referendum staff. The Spanish government declared that the referendum was

(    )     solution. And we need an inclusive solution that listens to the cries of millions

(    )     of people.” She also called for the resignation of Spain’s prime minister. More unrest could be

(    )     on the cards. Any declaration of independence by the Catalans could plunge Spain into a further constitutional