Catalonian independence rally in Brussels – EU still supports Madrid

Coaches 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