Catalonia: ‘The more the state stops us, the more we will push for freedom’ - by Ashifa Kassam

The debate began on this quiet, leafy campus more than a month ago. In late September, when Spain’s constitutional court agreed to hear the central government’s challenge against Sunday’s referendum on independence in Catalonia, resulting in the automatic suspension of campaigning, some at the University of Girona started raising questions about Catalan judge Encarna Roca.

Two years ago the university had presented her with an honorary degree to celebrate her constitutional court appointment. But in the wake of anger over the Catalonia decision, she was painted as one of the 12 judges standing in the way of millions of voters.

Seventy-seven of the university’s senators signed a petition demanding that her honorary degree be revoked. Others defended Roca, arguing against the idea that a Catalan must put their identity first.

On Thursday, a secret ballot sought to lay the issue to rest. Roca kept her degree by a vote of 100 to 42. Minutes later, the same group of senators voted in favour of a motion to back Sunday’s symbolic referendum on independence.

Note EU-Digest: Nationalism a force more dangerous than religious extremism - both do not fit in this age and time.

Catalonia: ‘The more the state stops us, the more we will push for freedom’ | World news | The Observer