A sourcebook of ideas for changing the world
Over the last 15 years, Catalans have demonstrated their remarkable capacity for creative, peaceful, democratic mobilization to demand the changes they want for their political future—namely their independence from Spain. Not only have they organized the most massive, and perhaps most cheerful, marches in European history, they have used a variety of other initiatives to call attention to their cause. The best thing of all: these methods have been incredibly effective: there is a majority in favor of Catalan independence in the Parliament for the first time in history. Download a sample today.
Creativity
A photographic tour of Catalonia’s most innovative initiatives for winning independence, from bike rides to candle lighting, from debates and conferences to street theater, from 400km long human chains to virtual campaigns on Twitter.
Numbers
Non-violence
The Catalan movement for independence is known as the “Revolution of smiles”. Even in the six massive demonstrations of more than 1 million people over the course of 6 years, there was not a single garbage can burned, nor a single window broken.
Democracy
Catalan indepedentists have insisted from the beginning that they simply want the right to vote on their political future—a wish that the Spanish Government has steadfastly refused.
Highlights
Most telling of all? Catalan pro-independence strategy is WORKING: there is a pro-independence majority in the Catalan Parliament and an explicitly pro-independence Government for the first time in history.
From the streets of Catalonia
to the halls of the Parliament
Catalans have been very effective in explaining their demands to their political leaders, and insisting that they be heard. The two ruling coalitions now have independence in their electoral platforms, and a stated commitment to the independence of Catalonia. Download a sample today.
Catalonia has asked for an official referendum but each request has been rejected by the Spanish Government which refuses to allow Catalans to vote.
Citizen Participation
From left to right: a volunteer created a bespoke bicycle to bring petitions to far-flung neighborhoods, an apple display in the shape of a “V” for “Vote”, a huge hand-sewn flag is waved in events all over Catalonia, and participants in the 400km human chain in 2013
Democracy and determination with a smile
Singing, painting, bicycle riding, speaking, debating, the list goes on and on. They even painted an entire town yellow!
Two coalitions won a pro-independence majority in the Catalan Parliament in September, 2015.
Peaceful, democratic, and effective
Download a sample today
Jump start your organization’s mobilization with inspiration from Catalonia’s peaceful, democratic independence movement. Download a sample today.
