We are actually a region of Spain and we are trying to get independence for many reasons
There are some word from someone who live in Barcelona, Catalonia:
I am Catalan from Barcelona and I do want the independence of Catalonia from Spain. These are my reasons:
1- Each territory should have the right to be independent in a pacific way if the majority of its population vote "yes" in a referendum.
2- Catalonia, united with the kingdom of Aragon, was already a nation in the Middle Ages. Aragon feels 100% Spanish, it's their right to do so but it is also the right of Catalans to decide their future.
3- The Spanish governments have since 1707 tried to suppress our identity, institutions,our Catalan language. Now Spain is divided into autonomous regions and all languages in Spain are co-official, but that does not mean that the situation is ideal.
4- Most Spaniards get hysterical at the idea of Catalonia being independent but they despise us at the same time, they are annoyed that we keep our language and would be delighted if our language disappears one day. Obviously they need our taxes, as our Catalan Government always receives less money from the Spanish state than we pay in order to support the poor regions from Spain (Andalusia, Estremadura, etc).
We have nothing against the Spanish State, we just want to split up like a marriage which does not work, in a civilized way.
Of course you will also find Catalans who also feel Spanish and who prefer that Catalonia remains an autonomous region within Spain.
In Catalonia we even have immigrants from other regions who came here in the 1960's who do not feel Catalan at all (others do): they are the ones who are unable to speak a word of Catalan and who are Real Madrid fans instead of FC Barcelona fans (I'm talking about football/soccer).
