Catalan National Day: One million people at demonstration for independence

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02:36

Around one million people have taken to the streets in Barcelona to mark Catalonia's national day. The turnout on Tuesday was a response to a call from Catalan President Quim Torra and predecessor Carles Puigdemont, to show continued support for independence from Spain. This came amid Spain's firm stance against a vote or move towards secession. CGTN's Al Goodman has more from Barcelona.

A huge demonstration in favor of independence for Catalonia. Filling a major street that crosses all of Barcelona on Catalan National Day. For the seventh straight year. But very different from last year, when many people here thought independence was getting close.

LIAM PATTONSOFTWARE TECHNICIAN "Well, what do you think is different? We have people in prison, that it's only this country, Spain, that they should consider they should be in prison."

Numerous leaders who pushed for Catalan independence last year are now in pre-trial prison on rebellion charges.

After a disputed referendum and a unilateral declaration of Catalan independence last autumn, the Spanish government took direct control, ousting the Catalan government. The former president, Carles Puigdemont, remains in exile in Belgium.

BEGONYA MARTINEZ QUALITY CONTROLLER "It's different in that our rights are, we are not free like last year, and we need freedom."

To drive home that point, a moment of silence in the massive demonstration, to mark a key battle in Catalonia's history. And then an explosion of pro-independence fervor.

AL GOODMANBARCELONA, SPAIN "Another change from this time last year: numberous media reports and statements from the leaders themselves indicate a division in the pro-independence camp on how quickly to try to move ahead with independence and what might be changed from last year, what some consider to be mistakes."

The current Catalan president met with reporters earlier in the day, giving assurances that the drive for independence is not over.

QUIM TORRAPRESIDENT OF CATALONIA "There are differences between us. There are different accents. But all of us are united with the idea of the Catalan Republic."

All of the people, that is, at this demonstration. But the Catalan who want to remain part of Spain didn't show up. Polls show the two camps - those for or against independence -- are almost evenly split. Many here demanded another referendum. But the wording of what of they might get to vote on, and when -- or even if -- is not clear. Al Goodman, CGTN, Barcelona, Spain.