BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) -- Thousands of Catalan separatists rallied to demand their region break away from Spain, in a show of strength three weeks ahead of an independence referendum banned by Madrid.
Draped in red, yellow and blue separatist flags – with one banner reading "Goodbye Spain” – they marched through central Barcelona in what many hope will be the last protest before independence.
"If there is huge mobilization, they can’t do anything in Madrid,” said Jordi Calatayud, a 21-year-old economics student of the Oct. 1 vote. "Catalan people will make independence possible, if there are a lot of us, they can’t stop us.”
Some 400,000 people had signed up to join the demonstration in Barcelona, part of an escalating struggle between the wealthy northeastern province and the Spanish central government.
The protest coincides with Catalonia’s national day, the "Diada,” which marks the fall of Barcelona in the War of the Spanish Succession in 1714 and the region’s subsequent loss of institutions and freedoms.
Since 2012 the holiday has been used by separatists to press for an independent state.
"There are 20 days left (until the referendum) and the mobilization that prompted this process remains intact,” Catalonia’s pro-independence President Carles Puigdemont told reporters.
Those against independence complained that a day meant for all Catalans had been hijacked by the separatists – and even more so this year ahead of the referendum.
"The theme of today’s protest is ‘Diada of the Yes,’” Ines Arrimadas, the leader in Catalonia of the anti-independence Ciudadanos party, said on Spanish television.
"That means that those of us who aren’t in favor of independence cannot participate,” she added.
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, whose conservative government is fiercely against the vote, wished Catalonia "a good day,” calling "for a Diada of freedom, cohabitation and respect for all Catalans.”
Demonstrators will take the shape of a giant "X” by gathering on the Paseo de Gracia and Aragon avenues in central Barcelona to represent the mark Catalans will make on their ballots during the referendum.
If the "Yes” side wins the vote, Catalonia’s regional government has vowed to declare independence within 48 hours and set about building a sovereign state.
With Spain’s central government promising to block the referendum, the pro-independence camp is keen to show that it can rally its troops – especially after participation in the "Diada” declined last year.
Rajoy’s conservative government argues the vote violates the constitution, which states that only central authorities can call a referendum.