PRESS RELEASE Scheduled for 1st September 2013 “Catalan way in Australia” “Human chains” are being organised for 1st September 2013 in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane in support to the enormous “Human Chain” that will take place in Catalonia on 11 th September this year. “As we all know, the Scottish people are summonsed to vote in referendum on becoming independent from the UK on 18 th September 2014, following an amicably negotiated agreement between Scotland’s and Her Majesty’s Governments. The Catalan Government has recently also formally approached the Spanish Central Government with a request for both Administrations to commence negotiations in order to allow a similar referendum to happen in Catalonia. This request is currently being considered, and a reply is expected in due course. Meanwhile, the social movement “Catalan National Assembly” http://catalanassembly.org/ are organising a “human chain” of over 400,000 persons holding hands that will peacefully stretch along the entire country from north to south ( about 400 Km ) on 11 th September 2013, Catalonia’s National Day. This movement mobilised around one and a half million people on 11 th September 2012 during a peaceful rally in Barcelona as proof of solidarity towards the Catalan Government and in support to the proposed referendum. Many Catalan communities abroad will also participate in this serene symbolic gesture creating their own “human chains” in more than 71 cities around the globe . New York, Paris, London, Buenos Aires, Edinburgh, Hong Kong, Beijing, Bangkok, Los Angeles, Boston, Rome, Miami, Hamburg., Vancouver … and many more !!! Similar events will also be held here in Australia in: ° Brisbane , 10 am, 1 st September 2013 at Captain Burke Park, Kangaroo Point. ° Melbourne , 12 pm, 1 st September 2013 at Federation Square (information point). ° Sydney , 11 am, 1 st September 2013 at Opera House. ° Perth , 10 am, 1 st September 2013 at Kings Park Lookout. New Zealand will hold the same events in Auckland and Wellington. The Catalan community feels the Australian media might be interested in reporting this rather unusual enactment of good will in which people peacefully hold hands for a minute or two to symbolise their support of a nation’s democratic right to decide its future by means of a referendum.” As an act of friendliness and gratitude towards their adopted country, Catalans would very much welcome any Australians who wished to join in and be part of these “human chains” on the day. All these events will be video recorded and subsequently shown throughout most of the national media in Catalonia. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes for Editors · More information : http://catalanassembly.org/international-catalan-way/ http://www.newscatalonia.com/2013/06/hand-in-hand-for-catalan-independence.html http://www.ccvictoria.cat/ https://www.facebook.com/catalanassemblyAustralia ·Historical sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalonia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltic_Way · Offer: We can offer pictures, videos, interviews and show how is the Catalan community, food and traditions. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTACT Communication Coord. - Jordi Ros tlf: 0402.012.914 mail: [email protected] National Coordinator - Ramon Querol tlf: 0432.806.160 mail: [email protected] Melbourne Coordinator - Anna tlf: 0448720426 mail: [email protected] Sydney Coordinator - Jorgina tlf : 0487.377.485 mail: [email protected] Perth Coordinator - Albert Llobet tlf: 0413.319.361 mail: [email protected] Brisbane Coordinator - Jordi Ros tlf: 0402.012.914 mail: [email protected] .