Catalan leaders mark ninth 1-O anniversary with demands for full amnesty

Institutional demands and the amnesty law

Catalan leaders marked the ninth anniversary of the 1 October 2017 independence referendum with institutional statements and calls for the full application of Spain's 2024 Amnesty Law. From the Catalan Parliament, Parliament President Josep Rull delivered an institutional declaration alongside pro-independence bureau members Raquel Sans, Juli Fernàndez, and Glòria Freixa, while Socialist members David Pérez, Maria Rosa Ibarra, and Judith Alcalá did not attend. Rull, who previously served three years and four months in prison for his role in the 2017 vote, stated that democratic normality has not returned because elected lawmakers Carles Puigdemont and Lluís Puig remain unable to take their seats. He called for an end to judicial delays following rulings from the Court of Justice of the European Union, while the Constitutional Court reviews embezzlement charges.

“After the ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union, we ask for the umpteenth time that an end be put to the legal tricks and judicial filibustering that delay its application.”

Diverging approaches across pro-independence parties

The anniversary arrives with a political landscape in Catalonia that differs from 2017, with the Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC) leading the Generalitat and pro-independence parties lacking a parliamentary majority for the first time since the independence drive began. Junts per Catalunya organized an action outside the Parliament building under the banner 'Hi érem, hi som, hi serem' (We were there, we are here, we will be here) and hung banners from bridges across Catalonia. In contrast, Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) limited its commemorations to an official manifesto and digital statements, alongside social media commentary from party president Oriol Junqueras. Puigdemont, posting from exile, characterized the 2017 vote as an enduring foundation for future self-determination.

“It is the day of the resounding victory of unity. It is the pride of an entire country, an example of democracy, responsibility and civic spirit, contrasted with the example of authoritarianism, irresponsibility and barbarism shown by the Spanish State.”

Police violence trial and civil society mobilization

Commemorations coincided with the final day of the trial at the Audiencia de Barcelona concerning four Spanish national police officers accused of blinding activist Roger Español with a rubber bullet during the 2017 voting. Español, who later ran on Junts senate lists, was supported at the courthouse by Junts secretary general Jordi Turull, former parliament president Laura Borràs, and leaders from the CUP. Civil society figures used the trial to draw attention to police actions nine years ago. Òmnium Cultural president Xavier Antich recalled the nearly 1,000 people injured during police operations on referendum day. ANC president Josep Vila criticized the state's actions and pointed to political backing from both the Partido Popular and the PSOE.

Retrospective reflections on expectations and strategy

Former Catalan foreign affairs minister Raül Romeva offered a critical assessment of the 2017 campaign during an interview on Cadena SER's Aquí Catalunya. Romeva, who was sentenced in October 2019 to 12 years in prison and spent more than three years incarcerated before receiving a government pardon in June 2021, argued that pro-independence messaging had presented separation from Spain as easier than it was. He noted that warnings regarding the necessity of securing international recognition only at the final stage were sidelined in public discourse. Romeva argued that current disaffection among supporters stems directly from inflated promises made during the referendum campaign.

“The frustration that exists is the difference between expectations and reality.”