Catalonia Crackdown Sparks Temporary Independence Support Surge

Public Response to Repression

State repression's impact on public opinion has been understudied despite its influence on movement mobilization.

This letter examines how the Spanish government's crackdown following Catalonia's independence referendum attempt affected public sentiment.

Key Findings

• Timing: The study tracked shifts in public opinion before and after repression escalated late in 2017.
• Sympathy: Public sympathy for independence temporarily increased post-crackdown.
• Opposition: Animosity towards perceived Spanish state allies also surged during this period.

Context

The analysis occurs within Catalonia's ongoing struggle, scrutinizing the effectiveness of repression against social movements seeking political change through nonviolent means.