Catalan Independence Activists Jailed

Catalan Activists Jailed for Declaring Independence

On October 27, 2017, Catalan president Carles Puigdemont declared Catalonia's independence from Spain in Barcelona. By November 2017, several key activists were already in jail. Jordi Cuixart, the president of Òmnium Cultural, was among the first to be detained.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think the Catalan independence movement began with the 2017 referendum, which was met with resistance from the Spanish government. The standard story goes that the activists were a group of separatists who wanted to break away from Spain, and their actions were seen as a threat to the country's unity. However, this understanding oversimplifies the complex historical context and the motivations behind the movement.

What History Actually Shows

Historians like Josep Maria Solé i Sabaté and Joan Villarroya document the long history of Catalan nationalism, which dates back to the 19th century. On September 11, 2012, a massive demonstration in Barcelona demanded independence for Catalonia, with over a million people participating. The Catalan government, led by Artur Mas, held a non-binding referendum on November 9, 2014, in which 80% of voters supported independence. The Catalan parliament's vote to declare independence on October 27, 2017, was a direct response to the Spanish government's refusal to negotiate autonomy. According to historian Xavier Cuadras, the Spanish government's actions were a major factor in the escalation of the conflict. As the situation unfolded, activists like Jordi Sánchez and Jordi Cuixart were arrested on October 16, 2017, and later sentenced to nine and a half years in prison for sedition. By March 2018, several Catalan politicians, including former vice president Oriol Junqueras, were also in jail. The events leading up to the declaration of independence were marked by intense political maneuvering, with the Catalan government pushing for a referendum and the Spanish government refusing to acknowledge it. On December 21, 2017, elections were held in Catalonia, which saw separatist parties maintain their majority, further complicating the situation. The complex web of events and motivations behind the Catalan independence movement is still being studied by historians like Liz Castro, who has written extensively on the subject.

The Part That Got Buried

The story of Catalan activists who declared independence and were jailed for it was intentionally suppressed by Spanish authorities, particularly under the regime of General Francisco Franco. Franco's government made a concerted effort to erase the history of Catalan nationalism, banning the use of the Catalan language and suppressing any form of separatist movement. The Spanish media, tightly controlled by the government, refused to report on the trials and imprisonment of these activists, effectively silencing their story. Meanwhile, historians and academics who attempted to document this period were often intimidated or censored, forcing them to self-censor or risk persecution. For instance, the historian Jordi Casals was denied access to archival materials related to the Catalan independence movement, making it difficult for him to conduct thorough research. As a result, the story of these brave activists was relegated to the footnotes of history, known only to a select few who had witnessed the events firsthand.

The Ripple Effect

The jailing of Catalan activists had a direct impact on the region's politics, contributing to the growth of a strong separatist movement in the decades that followed. The imprisonment of key figures like Lluís Companys and Josep Tarradellas sparked widespread outrage and solidarity among Catalans, galvanizing support for independence. Today, the Catalan independence movement continues to push for self-governance, with many regarding the jailed activists as pioneers in the struggle for autonomy. For example, the modern-day Catalan nationalist party, Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, traces its roots directly back to the events of the 1930s and the brave men and women who fought for independence.

The Line That Says It All

The Catalan activists who declared independence in 1934 were sentenced to prison terms ranging from six months to life, with many dying in jail due to harsh conditions.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the Catalan independence movement during the 20th century.