45,000 gather in Barcelona for National Day 2026 pro-independence demonstration

Around 45,000 people have gathered in the centre of Barcelona for the pro-independence rally on Catalonia's National Day.

This figure comes from the Barcelona local police, which shows an increase on last year's 28,000 National Day demonstrators, according to the same source.   

Organized by the Catalan National Assembly (ANC), Òmnium Cultural, and four other pro-independence organisations, simultaneous demonstrations are being held in the Catalan capital, Girona, and Amposta from around 5pm.

They say independence requires "individual commitment" and "active participation in the collective struggle."

In Barcelona, two columns representing the present and the future set off from opposite sides of the city and converge at Plaça Catalunya, where speeches will be held. The "present" column will leave from Gran Via and Carrer de Casanova, while the "future" column will set off from Via Laietana.

Under the slogan "I am here. We are here. For the present and the future. Independence", the organizations aim to convey the message that "independence requires the individual commitment to show up and the active participation in the collective struggle."

The groups believe this year's Diada comes at a time when the independence movement is "gaining social momentum and support" following a few years of "demoralization."

In Amposta, around 6,000 people took part in the demonstration according to the organizers, whereas police cite the number at 1,600.

Waving pro-independence flags and accompanied by the rhythm of a drum band, two columns made their way through the center of the city, where they converged and marched to the suspension bridge.

Ath the gathering, protesters said they took to the streets to defend the Catalan language and public education, as well as to combat fascism.

In Girona, the ceremony became a call for "coexistence" to overcome "narratives that stoke fear and mistrust."

The event also served to honor President Irla on the 150th anniversary of his birth and to mark 50 years since the restoration of the National Day celebrations following the Franco regime.