A huge general strike has been called across Catalonia in response to violence. Pro-independence groups and trade unions have called for everyone in the state – more than three million people – to stay home from work on Tuesday, October 3. Paris went car-free for the day and everyone breathed easy At least 844 people were injured after the authorities clashed with people trying to cast their votes in an independence referendum. Police officers fired rubber bullets at the crowds, hit them with batons, and were pictured dragging people away from polling booths – even elderly people and young children. It has been described as the ‘biggest political crisis that Spain has seen since the civil war’ last century, Sky News reported.

Responding to the horrific violence, Spain’s PM Manerio Rajoy declared that ‘there has been no independence referendum’ today. ‘At this time I can tell you, with full clarity, what you all know and what we have seen today,’ he said. ‘Today, we have not had a referendum for self-determination in Catalonia. Rajoy delivered a televised address:

‘Today, all the Spaniards have seen that our state rule of law keeps its strength and reality, and restricts those who wish to subvert the state of law.’ Rajoy also praised the Spanish police for responding with ‘firmness and serenity’ to the referendum. In protest against the violence, FC Barcelona played their match against Las Palmas behind closed doors – meaning the stadium was completely empty.