While the Catalan capital Barcelona has been the site of several pro-independence rallies in the build up to the referendum, hundreds took to the streets in favour of Spanish unity waving Spanish flags and signs reading ‘Catalan is Spain’. <br /><br />Tensions began to rise as police forces were seen to be leaving the port of Barcelona. They’ve been stationed in the area over the past week.<br /><br />Spanish police sealed 1300 schools earmarked as polling stations and occupied the Catalan government’s communications hub in an effort to stop the vote.<br /><br />With weeks of antagonism and tension coming to a head, neither side was showing signs of backing down from a confrontation that has pitched Spain into a political and constitutional crisis.<br /><br />Parents and children have been camping out at a school in the Gracia neighbourhood of Barcelona to protect it from possible closure by police. The parents, insist they are not moving.<br /><br />They’ve also been organising activities with students to prevent police from closing them before the vote.<br /><br />People who form the famous Catalan human towers were supporting independence. The Casteller organisation had their accounts blocked in the weeks leading up to the independence referendum.<br /><br />..<br /><br />Catalonia will vote amid political and social tension between the pro-independence campaigners and those who reject the separation of the State. The international community is watching Catalonia carefully and is worried about the conflict.<br />
