Catalan National Assembly

Catalan National Assembly The Catalan National Assembly is a grassroots, civic non-governmental organization founded in 2011 to advocate for the independence of Catalonia from Spain. It emerged from mass mobilizations inspired by events such as the 2010 Catalan autonomy protest and operates alongside organisations like Omnium Cultural and political parties including Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, Junts per Catalunya, and Candidatura d'Unitat Popular. The movement interacts with institutions such as the Parliament of Catalonia, the Spanish Constitutional Court, and international bodies like the European Union and the United Nations.

History

The organisation formed in the context of the 2008 financial crisis, the 2010 ruling by the Spanish Constitutional Court on the Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia (2006), and protests in Plaça de Catalunya, Barcelona, and during demonstrations in Via Laietana. Founders and early coordinators were influenced by civic actors from Omnium Cultural, activists connected to Procés Constituent, and former officials from municipal institutions in Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Early mass events included human chains and large-scale demonstrations on national days such as Diada Nacional de Catalunya (2012), aligning with campaigns led by unions like Comisiones Obreras and Unió General de Treballadors at times. The organisation's growth coincided with electoral successes by Convergència i Unió, challenges to leaders such as Jordi Pujol, and international reactions from governments like France, Germany, and institutions including the European Commission. Major turning points included coordination with the Catalan government during the 2014 non-binding consultation and the 2017 independence referendum, which led to legal actions by the Audiencia Nacional (Spain) and interventions by the Spanish Government (2011–2018).

Organisation and Structure

The assembly is organised into territorial chapters in provinces such as Barcelona (province), Girona (province), Lleida (province), and Tarragona (province), and municipal cells in towns like Sitges, Reus, Manresa, and Vic. Leadership has included presidents who later engaged with parties like Democratic Convergence of Catalonia and civic coalitions associated with figures such as Jordi Sànchez and Jordi Cuixart, with ties to movements present in locations such as Plaça Sant Jaume and institutions like the Generalitat de Catalunya. Committees focus on mobilization, legal affairs liaising with law firms in Barcelona, international relations interacting with delegations in Brussels, and cultural outreach involving organisations like Òmnium Cultural. Decision-making relies on assemblies and plenary sessions echoing procedures used by civic networks including Indignados and strategies seen during events like the 15-M movement.

Political Positions and Activities

Public positions articulate support for a unilateral or negotiated path to sovereignty referencing legal frameworks such as the Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia (2006) and contested rulings by the Spanish Constitutional Court. The organisation has endorsed referendums similar to the 2014 non-binding vote and the 2017 referendum, working with political parties Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, Junts per Catalunya, and smaller groups like Demòcrates de Catalunya. It has engaged with international advocacy, contacting diplomatic missions of nations including Belgium, Switzerland, and United Kingdom delegations, and seeking statements from bodies like the European Parliament and the Council of Europe. Legal challenges and responses involved attorneys who argued before tribunals including the Tribunal Constitucional de España and coordination with civil society networks across Basque Country, Galicia, and the Canary Islands.

Major Campaigns and Protests

Signature campaigns have included the human chain campaign on Diada Nacional de Catalunya known as "Catalan Way" inspired by the Baltic Way and mass demonstrations in Plaça Catalunya and along avenues such as Passeig de Gràcia. The assembly organised mobilisations for the 2014 participatory vote and for the 2017 referendum on independence, coordinating with municipal councils in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Sabadell, and Badalona and confronting actions from the National Police Corps (Spain) and the Civil Guard (Spain). International protests and information campaigns reached cities such as Brussels, Paris, London, Berlin, and New York City to engage parliamentarians from institutions including the European Parliament and the United Nations General Assembly.

Public Reception and Criticism

Reception ranges from strong support among segments aligned with Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya and Junts per Catalunya to criticism from parties like Partido Popular (Spain), Ciudadanos, and Partido Socialista Obrero Español. Legal critiques have been voiced by jurists referencing rulings from the Spanish Constitutional Court and proceedings in the Audiencia Nacional (Spain), while media coverage in outlets such as La Vanguardia, El País, Ara, and international press including The New York Times and The Guardian has debated tactics and democratic legitimacy. Analysts from universities including the University of Barcelona and the Autonomous University of Barcelona and think tanks in Madrid and Brussels have assessed the assembly's impact on regional politics, social cohesion in municipalities like Vic and Figueres, and relations with institutions such as the European Commission.

Category:Organisations based in Catalonia