Spanish police crack down on Catalonia's referendum voting

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Spanish police crack down on Catalonia's referendum voting By Associated Press, adapted by Newsela staff on 10.05.

1 Spanish police crack down on Catalonia's referendum voting By Associated Press, adapted by Newsela staff on Word Count 868 Level 1160L Independence supporters march during a demonstration in Barcelona, Spain, on October 2, Catalan leaders accused Spanish police of brutality and repression while the Spanish government praised the security forces for behaving firmly and proportionately. Photo: AP/Felipe Dana This article is available at 5 reading levels at 1

BARCELONA, Spain Catalonia's leader on Monday called for international help and for the European Union (EU) "to stop looking the other way" in the region's bid to leave Spain.

2 BARCELONA, Spain Catalonia's leader on Monday called for international help and for the European Union (EU) "to stop looking the other way" in the region's bid to leave Spain. This plea happened a day after a violent crackdown by Spanish police trying to block referendum voting. A referendum vote is when citizens decide on a single important issue. Catalans were voting on independence from Spain. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 2

3 Catalonia's President Carles Puigdemont also said he would file a complaint against Spanish police after officers fired rubber bullets, smashed into polling stations Sunday and beat back protesters with batons. Puigdemont did not give further details but urged Spain's national police reinforcements to leave the northeastern region. But Spanish authorities commended police, saying they acted professionally and that their response was proportionate. Spain's interior minister said the 5,000 extra officers deployed to Catalonia would stay as long as necessary. Support For Independence Catalan officials say an overwhelming majority of voters supported independence from Spain. However, the central government in Madrid has repeatedly condemned the vote as illegal, unconstitutional and invalid. The EU and most governments in the 28-nation bloc have not backed Catalonia's independence movement. They fear it could unleash a wave of independence movements in Europe. But Puigdemont called for the EU to consider Catalonia's desire to break away from Spain as a regional problem. He also urged Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's government to accept help. "The European Union has to stop looking the other way," Puigdemont said about what he sees as an obvious need for help from other countries. "This is not a domestic issue." Step Back, Take A Deep Breath Earlier Monday, an EU statement implored both sides to pull back from confrontation in favor of dialogue. More than 890 people were injured, most of them not seriously, in confrontations with police trying to shut down the voting. Some 33 police officers were also injured. The Catalan president said the regional parliament plans to declare independence in the next days. He spoke after a closed-door Cabinet meeting Monday. The referendum conflict brought Spain and Catalonia closer to a potentially dreadful showdown. Each side said Sunday's events proved them right and neither looked prepared to give up ground. Rajoy, meanwhile, will meet with Popular Party leaders before seeking a parliamentary session. He wants to discuss how to confront the country's most serious crisis in decades. He also called an afternoon meeting with the leaders of the opposition Socialist and Ciudadanos (Citizens) parties to discuss Spain's options. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 3

4 Shared Responsibility For The Mayhem The standoff developed after Catalan authorities decided to go ahead with Sunday's vote even after Spain's Constitutional Court suspended it. The Spanish central government denies the vote even took place. Meanwhile, Catalan separatists say it was valid and justifies making a final break with Spain. Catalonia said preliminary poll results showed 90 percent favored independence after less than half the eligible voting population voted. In a day that saw 893 people injured in clashes with riot police, Catalonia's health services said four people remained in the region's hospitals and two were in serious condition. Clashes broke out at a number of voting locations after riot police turned up to prevent people from voting and to take ballot boxes. Some Catalans said both sides were responsible for the mayhem. "I am very annoyed for the both sides involved in what happened yesterday," 56-year-old Eric Tigra said. "I think both sides involved committed grave mistakes. But we must also highlight that if the people of Catalonia go out in the streets and you don't listen to them then something is not working right." Catalan leaders accused Spanish police of brutality and repression. However, the Spanish government praised security forces for acting firmly. Videos and photographs of the police actions featured on the front page of news media outlets around the world. "These Are Times For Unity" In an editorial, leading Spanish daily El Pais blamed the Catalan government for Sunday's "shameful" events but also criticized the Spanish government for its inability to tackle the crisis that began about seven years ago. The newspaper said the day was "a defeat for our country." So far, the European Union, the United States and most international bodies have backed Spain in its position against Catalan independence. The EU has urged all sides in Spain to move from confrontation to dialogue. "These are times for unity," EU spokesman Margaritis Schinas said. Catalonia is a community located in northeastern Spain. The bustling city of Barcelona is its capital and represents one-fifth of Spain's economy. Polls consistently show that while most of its 7.5 million inhabitants favored a vote, they are roughly evenly split on independence from Spain. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 4

5 Those in favor of secession argue that the region contributes more to the national government than it receives in return. Catalonians already enjoy a wide measure of autonomy but the central government still controls taxation and other financial levers, as well as infrastructure projects. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 5

6 Quiz 1 Read the following statement: Catalonia's secession could harm Spain financially. Which paragraph BEST supports the idea outlined above? (A) (B) (C) (D) Catalonia's leader on Monday called for international help and for the European Union (EU) "to stop looking the other way" in the region's bid to leave Spain. The EU and most governments in the 28-nation bloc have not backed Catalonia's independence movement. They fear it could unleash a wave of independence movements in Europe. In an editorial, leading Spanish daily El Pais blamed the Catalan government for Sunday's "shameful" events but also criticized the Spanish government for its inability to tackle the crisis that began about seven years ago. The newspaper said the day was "a defeat for our country." Catalonia is a community located in northeastern Spain. The bustling city of Barcelona is its capital and represents one-fifth of Spain's economy. Polls consistently show that while most of its 7.5 million inhabitants favored a vote, they are roughly evenly split on independence from Spain. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 6

7 2 Which option would the European Union MOST LIKELY agree with? Which line from the article supports your answer? (A) The Catalonians have been treated unfairly by the Spanish government. Catalonia's President Carles Puigdemont also said he would file a complaint against Spanish police after officers fired rubber bullets, smashed into polling stations Sunday and beat back protesters with batons. (B) The Spanish government has done nothing wrong in its dealings with the Catalonians. But Spanish authorities commended police, saying they acted professionally and that their response was proportionate. (C) Countries need to stay together to keep Europe strong and united. They fear it could unleash a wave of independence movements in Europe. (D) The Spanish government and the Catalonians are both at fault with this conflict. In an editorial, leading Spanish daily El Pais blamed the Catalan government for Sunday's "shameful" events but also criticized the Spanish government for its inability to tackle the crisis that began about seven years ago. 3 Which of the following details is MOST important to the development of the MAIN idea? (A) (B) (C) (D) Puigdemont did not give further details but urged Spain's national police reinforcements to leave the northeastern region. Spain's interior minister said the 5,000 extra officers deployed to Catalonia would stay as long as necessary. The Spanish central government denies the vote even took place. Meanwhile, Catalan separatists say it was valid and justifies making a final break with Spain. Catalonians already enjoy a wide measure of autonomy but the central government still controls taxation and other financial levers, as well as infrastructure projects. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 7

8 4 Select the sentence from the section "Shared Responsibility For The Mayhem" that is LEAST important to include in a summary of the article. (A) (B) (C) (D) Catalan officials say an overwhelming majority of voters supported independence from Spain. The EU and most governments in the 28-nation bloc have not backed Catalonia's independence movement. Clashes broke out at a number of voting locations after riot police turned up to prevent people from voting and to take ballot boxes. Videos and photographs of the police actions were featured on the front page of news media outlets around the world. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 8

9 Period: 2 nd, 6 th, 9 th Basic Info Title of Article: Author: News Source: People and places List and describe the places mentioned in the article: Key Terms Key term that you did not know/understand: Definition: Key term that you did not know/understand: Definition: Key term that you did not know/understand: Definition: Write a summary that is 5 or more sentences. What happened? What is the article about? Who is being affected? What will happen as a result? Etc.

10 Reactions and affects What is your opinion/reaction to the article? How does this story/event affect you and other people living in the US? Explain. (Make a connection between the text and something in your own life experiences) How does the event/story affect others around the world? Explain. ( /100) 2

Briefing Note on the situation in Catalonia (Part III)

Briefing Note on the situation in Catalonia (Part III) Summary Since the illegal referendum in Catalonia took place, in October 1 st, there have been relevant news along this week: 1) A strike was called in Catalonia to protest against the violent actions