The smallest municipality in Maresme, Òrrius, with 793 inhabitants, will be the new setting next Sunday, October 1, for a new consultation for the independence of Catalonia. 14 years after the first referendum that was held in Arenys de Munt, two ballot boxes will be displayed, one for the neighbors and another for the rest of the citizens, to ask whether to make the 2017 Declaration of Independence effective.
The new mayor of Òrrius, Xavier Masgrau, from Junts per Catalunya, explains that the independence consultation "is an electoral commitment" that he adopted when the residents of the municipality requested it. It was one of the first decisions he made after his appointment and he did so unilaterally "through a decree and a mayor's office, so as not to involve the rest of the councilors in the legal repercussions that it could result in."
"Politicians have the obligation to give a voice to the people," insists Masgrau, who also asserts that "putting the ballot boxes is not a crime." The non-binding consultation will be limited to asking: "Does the Declaration of Independence become effective" that the Catalans voted on on October 1 six years ago. For the mayor "it is necessary to decide if we want to make it effective."
The event, which will be held next Sunday, "is a symbolic celebration to reaffirm Catalan dignity" and threatens the intention to "force the situation in the country" which Mayor Masgrau believes "is low on morale." He understands that the consultation is a good measure to reactivate the involvement of all Catalans in the process. "We will try to make Sunday a democratic holiday."
Xavier Masgrau believes that Catalonia must set new objectives since, according to what is happening in the Congress of Deputies, "right now we are out" unless some progress is made in the negotiations with the PSOE.
For the mayor, the Statute of Catalonia protects the participation of citizens in politics, hence he hopes that "giving a voice to the people" does not mean retaliation, since "we comply with a right." With the result obtained in the consultation "we will send a statement to the Generalitat and the government of the kingdom of Spain."
On a personal level, Masgrau conveys the invitation to all citizens "even if they want to vote no." The call has already earned him anonymous threats: "They called me from a hidden phone to remind me that the consultation could have consequences."
Just as Orrius has called the consultation, Xavier Masgrau invites the rest of the Councils to invite to "celebrate this democratic exercise". At the moment, no municipality in Maresme has joined the initiative.
