Demonstrators pack on of the main squares in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. Thousands of Catalan separatists are rallying in public squares in Barcelona and other towns in support of a disputed referendum on independence of the northeastern region from Spain. Many are carrying pro-independence flags and signs calling for the Oct. 1 vote that the Spanish government calls illegal and has pledged to stop. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
The Associated Press
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - The Latest on the independence Catalonia (all times local):
2:15 p.m.
Grassroots groups driving Catalonia's independence movement say they have started distributing one million ballots to be used in a referendum on secession that the Spanish government has vowed to stop.
Jordi Cuixart, the president of the separatist group Omnium Cultural, announced the ballots were being distributed during a rally in Barcelona on Sunday. Cuixart says "here are the packs of ballots that we ask you to hand out across Catalonia."
Spanish police have confiscated millions of ballots in recent days as part of a crackdown to stop the Oct. 1 vote, which has been suspended by Spain's Constitutional Court.
Catalonia's separatists have pledged to hold the vote regardless.
___
1 p.m.
Thousands of Catalan separatists are rallying in public squares in Barcelona and other towns in support of a disputed referendum on independence of the northeastern region from Spain.
Many are carrying pro-independence flags and signs calling for the Oct. 1 independence vote that the Spanish government calls illegal and has pledged to stop.
The crowds have been asked by secessionist politicians to print and distribute posters supporting the vote.
Carme Forcadell, the speaker of Catalonia's regional parliament, told a Barcelona crowd, "I ask you to go out and vote! Vote for the future of Catalonia!"
Spain's Constitutional Court has suspended the local law calling for the referendum and police have cracked down on preparations for the vote.
Separatists have pressed ahead anyway, vowing to declare independence if the "Yes" wins.
A man with a clown's red nose and a Catalan national flag takes part in a protest in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. Thousands of Catalan separatists are rallying in public squares in Barcelona and other towns in support of a disputed referendum on independence of the northeastern region from Spain. Many are carrying pro-independence flags and signs calling for the Oct. 1 vote that the Spanish government calls illegal and has pledged to stop. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
The Associated Press
Alaves's fans display an ''estelada'' or Catalonia independence flag during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Alaves, at Mendizorra stadium, in Vitoria, northern Spain, Saturday, Sept.23, 2017. Real Madrid won the match 2-1. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
The Associated Press
Catalan President Carles Puigdemont , left, and Catalonia regional Parliament President Carme Forcadell stand prior of the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Girona and FC Barcelona at the Montilivi stadium in Girona, Spain, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
The Associated Press
Police officers of Catalan Mossos d'Esquadra patrol in Barcelona, Spain Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017. Spain's Interior Ministry says that a state prosecutor has asked for the central government to coordinate the policing efforts to impede the referendum on Catalonia's secession from Spain. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
The Associated Press
Police officers of Catalan Mossos d'Esquadra stand guard at a checkpoint near the airport in Barcelona, Spain Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017. Spain's Interior Ministry says that a state prosecutor has asked for the central government to coordinate the policing efforts to impede the referendum on Catalonia's secession from Spain. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
The Associated Press