Photos Record A Historic Day As Catalonia Declares Independence From Spain

Chris McGonigal
People react at Sant Jaume Square in Barcelona after the Catalan regional parliament declares independence from Spain. (Photo: Yves Herman / Reuters)
People react at Sant Jaume Square in Barcelona after the Catalan regional parliament declares independence from Spain. (Photo: Yves Herman / Reuters)

Oct. 27, 2017, will be a date forever marked in Spain’s history books.

Tensions between the governments of Spain and the semi-autonomous region of Catalonia reached a tipping point on Friday, as Catalan lawmakers ended weeks of political wrangling by declaring the region’s independence in a symbolic vote.

Outside the regional parliament, more than 2,000 people shouted “Liberty!” and sang traditional songs as the vote proceeded, Reuters reports. Thousands of independence supporters gathered on streets and squares throughout Catalonia to celebrate the decision.

But as the scenes of jubilation unfolded, the backlash to the defiant decision began.

Less than an hour after the declaration of independence, Spain’s parliament voted to strip Catalonia of its autonomy and impose direct rule. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced that the Spanish Cabinet had decided to dismiss the Catalan government, fire the Catalan police chief and hold new elections in Catalonia on Dec. 21.

One after another, governments across Europe, as well as the U.S. State Department, came out in support of the Spanish government’s efforts to keep the country united.

Meanwhile, Spain’s Constitutional Court said it has started the process of reviewing the independence declaration. As the court is almost certain to rule the move illegal, Catalonia has uncertain times ahead.

People gather to celebrate at Sant Jaume Square in Barcelona.
People gather to celebrate at Sant Jaume Square in Barcelona.
Catalan government members, pro-independence deputies and mayors from pro-independence towns sing the Catalan anthem after the regional parliament voted to declare independence.
Catalan government members, pro-independence deputies and mayors from pro-independence towns sing the Catalan anthem after the regional parliament voted to declare independence.

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A woman screams towards Spanish Civil Guard officers outside a polling station.
A woman screams towards Spanish Civil Guard officers outside a polling station.
People protest as police try to control the area at a polling station in the referendum vote.
People protest as police try to control the area at a polling station in the referendum vote.
Police and gendarmerie crew intervene to stop voters in the Catalan independence referendum.
Police and gendarmerie crew intervene to stop voters in the Catalan independence referendum.
Riot police drag a member of the public away from a school being used as a polling station.
Riot police drag a member of the public away from a school being used as a polling station.
Clashes between voters and the police injured hundreds on Sunday.
Clashes between voters and the police injured hundreds on Sunday.
Police seized ballots and closed polling stations during the vote.
Police seized ballots and closed polling stations during the vote.
Riot police clash with members of the public outside a school being used as a polling station for the banned referendum.
Riot police clash with members of the public outside a school being used as a polling station for the banned referendum.
There were several arrests amid the demonstrations.
There were several arrests amid the demonstrations.
Police fired rubber bullets in some areas and used batons.
Police fired rubber bullets in some areas and used batons.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.