About 2 million Catalans headed to the ballot box last Sunday to vote in a referendum that would see them secede from Spain to create their own nation. The Catalonia government announced that 90% had voted 'yes' but the Spanish government has deemed the referendum illegal. But what made headlines the next day was the brutality displayed by the national police force as they seized ballot boxes and attacked unarmed voters - both young and old. In the wake of the violence that erupted in a country that has practiced democracy for decades, we find out the reasons behind Catalonia's want for independence and what it means for the region and the rest of Spain.

Produced by: Arleen Webber

Presented by: Ezra Zaid

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Tags:  Evening Edition,  In Focus,  Catalan Referendum,  Spain,  Antoni Vives,  Catalonia,  Spanish Government