News: Passions run high at pre-referendum 'Diada de Catalunya'

CATALUNYA'S regional day with its traditional massive 'Diada' march was one of the biggest-ever today (Monday) in light of the controversial independence referendum scheduled for three weeks' time.

Barcelona city police, the Guardia Urbana, estimated that around a million people took to the streets, although the provincial government's guess was around 355,000.

As well as the usual giant flag held aloft by the parade participants, another, in yellow with a white ballot box joined it.

Regional president Carles Puigdemont has been told that the referendum is illegal as it goes against the Spanish Constitution, but he is determined to forge ahead, possibly risking his career and even a huge fine or prison sentence.

Numbers at this year's Diada were greater than last year, although in 2015 and 2014 respectively, as many as 1.4 million and 1.8 million hit the streets.

As usual, similar marches were staged throughout Catalunya – not just in Barcelona but also in Lleida, Tarragona, Salt and Berga – although this time with growing conviction.

An anti-capitalism march taking place in the middle of the main demonstration in Barcelona saw activists burning Spanish, French and European Union flags and defacing photographs of the King.