On Saturday afternoon, a protest organized by the Assemblea Nacional Catalana (ANC) and the Consell de la República took place in central Barcelona, drawing a crowd of a few thousand demonstrators. The protest, under the motto 'Enough! The only way: independence,' sought to address the ongoing issues with the Rodalies train network and the perceived negligence of the Spanish government in managing public services in Catalonia. The demonstrators connected the region's struggles with public transport to broader calls for independence, arguing that secession would ultimately lead to better service delivery.

The gathering comes just hours before another planned demonstration that is expected to attract a larger audience, further emphasizing the urgency for improvements in the Rodalies system while aiming to present a less partisan front. Protesters expressed their frustration over the continuous 'humiliations' they feel they face from the Spanish state, highlighting a growing discontent among Catalunya's residents regarding their public infrastructure and governance.

This demonstration illustrates the complexities and tensions surrounding the independence movement in Catalonia, as grievances about public services are intertwined with the long-standing quest for autonomy. The protest not only reflects local discontent with transportation issues but also serves as a rallying point for broader independence sentiments among Catalans, underscoring the significant political landscape as calls for better governance and self-determination resonate through the streets of Barcelona.