Catalonia separatists try to stage Spain breakaway

For a fourth consecutive year, hundreds of thousands of pro-independence Catalans are gearing up to rally Friday to break away from Spain, kicking off a fresh secession bid in a push to carve out a new European nation.

After the central government rejected efforts by separatists to hold an independence referendum, Catalan politicians are now heading toward a September 27 regional parliamentary election with candidates staking out positions for or against an independent Catalonia. The northeastern region of 7.5 million people is marked by fierce pride in Catalan language and traditions.

In this photo taken Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015, a young girl plays with a ball in front of a graffiti of an Estelada flag (pro-independence Catalan flag) in Barcelona. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

The massive rally for the Catalan National Day holiday on September 11 marks the kickoff of campaigning for secessionists who say Catalonia is culturally different from Spain, doesn’t get back what it pays in taxes — and that independence is the only way forward. The latest effort follows rebukes to requests for greater self-governance by the Madrid central government.

— AP