Shocking online footage shows pro-union marchers clad in Spanish flags attack Catalan independence supporters during a rally in Palma de Mallorca.
The pro-Spain group appears to bypass a police cordon to take down a post from the Mallorca Sovereign Assembly.
The video captured the crowd cheering as a white gazebo covering the pro-Catalonia independentist was taken down before the group chanting: “United Spain will never be defeated.”
According to the Spanish Guardia Civil, nearly 6,500 people took to the streets in Palma de Mallorca against Catalonia’s attempt to break off from Madrid’s control.
A young woman was reportedly injured during clashes.
Palma de Mallorca is the capital of the Catalan-speaking Balearic Island, a top tourist destination with a close connection to the Catalonia independence movement.
Other demonstrations took place all over Spain in favour of negotiations between Madrid and Barcelona to resolve the crisis that has taken over the Southern European country after Catalonia held an illegal independence referendum on October 1.
The final results of the vote showed 90 percent of the 2.3 million people who voted backed independence. Turnout was 43 percent.
The country is waiting for a speech on Tuesday by Catalan President Carles Puigdemont amid speculation he will declare independence.
Madrid has so far refused to recognise the legitimacy of the referendum, threatening to invoke Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution.
The article, which has never been used, would allow President Mariano Rajoy to step in and take over all power that currently befall the autonomous Catalan Government if “it acts in a way that is seriously prejudicial to the general interest of Spain.
However Catalan citizens believe invoking Article 155 would only spur the independence movement further.
The Spanish Constitutional Court suspended the Catalan parliamentary session planned for next week due to fears Catalonia president Carles Puidgemont could take the chance to declare independence.