Tens of thousands of Catalan pro-independence protesters marched on placa Universitat in Barcelona on Thursday.28th September

Placards proclaiming independence were wielded by supporters, with one student protester claiming "we have a destiny, and, it is to be independent."

One Catalan fireman, Roger, explained that the Spanish government are "trying to take up the ballot boxes - as if it were a cocaine or heroin shipment- because for them, this is worse than the drug," adding "they see it as a crime for us to vote, but for us, we believe in democracy."

SOT, Roger, Catalan fireman (Catalonian): "On October 1 the Catalans will vote massively. The occupation forces that we have right here, are continuously trying to invalidate the votes, trying to take up the ballot boxes - as if it were a cocaine or heroin shipment- because for them, this is worse than the drug. They see it as a crime for us to vote, but for us, we believe in democracy"

SOT, Jana, student protester (Catalonian): "I believe - and I am 100% sure - that on October 1 we will end up voting, because no one can stop it. We have a destiny and it is to be independent."

SOT, Pol, student protester, (Catalonian): "I think that on October 1 we will vote yes. I don't think that Spain prohibits us from voting, democracy isn't just yes or no, we are entitled to vote"

SOT, Oriol, protester (Catalonian): "I think that on October 1 we will vote as we are vindicating ourselves now - peacefully. A lot of police want to stop us, but we will end up voting because it is a right we have."