Catalan Government delegate to speak at Cardiff ‘Yes Cymru’ rally

A delegate from the Catalan Government will speak at a Cardiff rally on Saturday.

Sergi Marcén, the Chief Delegate of the Government of Catalonia to the United Kingdom, will speak at the rally organised by Yes Cymru to support the people of Catalonia.

The rally will take place at 2pm at the Hayes, Cardiff.

Sergi Marcén said that he was thankful to the people of Wales for showing “their warm support” towards the people of Catalonia.

“Thank you for hearing our voice,” he said. “European values are our values. This is why what happens in Catalonia affects all Europeans and democrats.

“We are convinced that the ultimate purpose and spirit of the law is the defence of rights and freedoms, but the leaders of the two main pro-independent civil society organizations in Catalonia are being held as political prisoners.

“This means that showing your solidarity is more important than ever. We deeply appreciate it and will not forget it.”

Geraint Rhys, who’s from Swansea, will also sing his song in support of the people of Catalonia ‘Visca la Terra’ at the rally, a song that has been watched almost a hundred thousand times on Youtube.

Democratic

Since the referendum, two of Catalonia’s civil society leaders have been imprisoned by the Spanish state, and the Spanish Government is preparing to dissolve the Catalan Parliament and force new elections.

Iestyn ap Rhobert, the Chair of YesCymru who will be leading the rally, said the aim was to support democracy and to oppose violence.

He said that the violence the Catalan electorate suffered by the armed police of the Spanish state is “totally unacceptable” in modern Europe.

“The purpose of the violence was to block the democratic right of the people of Catalonia to determine their own future,” he said.

“This rally will be an opportunity for the people of Wales to declare that we support the people of Catalonia, that we support democracy and that we oppose violence.”

Respect

Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans MEP, who observed the independence vote, will also speak at the Rally. She said that the people of Catalonia have a democratic right to decide their own future.

“The government was elected with a mandate to hold an independence referendum and the process has been completely peaceful and driven and led by the people,” she said.

“It is not an internal issue for Spain, it will affect the future of Europe as a whole. That is why European governments should respect the decision of the people of Catalonia.”

Other speakers include Sandra Clubb, Chair of YesCymru Cardiff, and FBU Wales Secretary Cerith Griffiths.

Cerith Griffiths will be speaking at the rally to show solidarity with Catalan firefighters who were attacked by Spanish police during the referendum for protecting civilians and their right to vote.

“During the recent Catalan referendum we saw firefighters defending citizens and the democratic process from the very people who are responsible for this in everyday life,” he said.

“Firefighters are used to protecting people but not protecting them against an emergency service who they often work closely with.

“The FBU will attend this rally on Saturday in a show of solidarity with our Catalan firefighting colleagues and in support of their fight to preserve the democratic process.”