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Catalonian independence rally in Brussels - EU still supports Madrid

CataloniaPuigdemontCoaches and camper vans started to arrive in the Belgian capital on Thursday morning bringing demonstrators supporting the sacked president, Carles Puidgemont, who has been living in Brussels since leaving Spain last month for fear of being arrested.

The protest was held in front of the EU’s parliament building where around 45,000 flag-waving supporters of independence for Catalonia demonstrated to demand the European Union ceases its support of the Spanish government’s position and looks at the Catalonia issue seriously, rather than sticking to its weak get-out clause of “this is a matter for Madrid.”

Puidgemont addressed the crowd, "Have you ever seen a demonstration like this in support of criminals?" he asked, to cheers of support.

The European arrest warrant issues against the former president and a cadre of ministers has been dropped but should any of the politicians return to Spanish soil, they can be arrested under Spanish warrants that remain valid.

European Commission Vice President, Frans Timmermans, reiterated that the European Commission’s position is, that it cannot ignore the law and that any moves towards independence in Catalonia, that do not have the agreement of a Spanish majority, are illegal.

The 2.5-kilometre march took the good natured protestors past the European Commission building and ended in a square between the European Council and European Parliament, where Puigdemont addressed his supporters, saying that he wants “a Europe of free citizens.”

If Puidgemeont wins the December 21st Catalonian election, he may have to run the Spanish region from Belgium unless Madrid lifts his arrest warrant.

The question for now is whether Spain will allow Puigdemont and his cadres back into Spain if they win the upcoming elections.

Many, like Puigdemont, wore yellow scarves in solidarity with the independence leaders who did not get out of Spain in time and who are languishing in jail.

There were also speeches by Catalan separatist leaders, including a former member of the government, Toni Comín, who mentioned the ‘F’ word when accusing the Madrid government of acting like Franco, "They are afraid of a Belgian judge because they are afraid of democracy, they are afraid of the polls, because they are Francoists."

Carles Puigdemont made the final speech, "When millions of people manifest themselves repeatedly year after year in such a peaceful and organised way, this should make Europe proud. But when the presidents of civil organizations are arrested, and government also are, and officially Europe stands next to Mariano Rajoy, there are things like this demonstration in Brussels today."

"Have you seen anywhere in the world a demonstration like this in support of criminals? Maybe it's because we're not criminals, but Democrats, "said Puigdemont, referring to the independence leaders and appealing to EU leaders to "realise that Europe can still play a role" in resolving the political situation in Catalonia.