Catalonia Votes "Yes" for Independence from Spain as Violent Clashes with Riot Police Erupt

Catalonia has overwhelmingly voted "yes" in a banned referendum held on Sunday, October 1st, 2017, to determine that region's appetite for independence from Spain.

Violence erupted both during and after the vote, with more than 800 people reported to have been injured as riot police and pro-referendum protesters clashed. Police are reported to have used rubber bullets against protesters

There are 5.3 million registered voters in Catalonia with reports indicating that 2.26 million Catalans voted “yes” side in favour of independence.

Catalonia is one of the wealthiest regions of Spain. The region which includes the popular destination city of Barcelona is seeking full control of its own affairs; to become a fully independent state distinctfrom Spain.

However, in Madrid, the Spanish government says that referendum is illegal based on the 1978 Spanish Constitution. The Police were acting on a judge’s orders to stop the referendum, which was deemed unconstitutional. There is a section within the Spanish Constitution that calls for the “indissoluble unity of the Spanish Nation.”

Following the closure of polling stations the Catalan president Carles Puigdemont stated that the region has “won the right to become an independent state. ”

The Catalan Regional President went on to state to reporters; "The unjustified, disproportionate and irresponsible violence of the Spanish state today has not only failed to stop Catalans' desire to vote, but has helped to clarify all the doubts we had to resolve today. "