Voters line up at Catalan polling stations ready for showdown with Spain

Long lines of voters massed early Sunday at polling booths across Catalonia ready to vote for separation from Spain. Dozens of police vehicles headed for the regional capital of Barcelona after the Spanish government declared the referendum illegal. Spanish authorities earlier seized ballots papers marked only with “yes’ or “no,” imposed fines on top Catalan officials and detained dozens of politicians. Police have also occupied the regional government’s telecommunications centre.

Thousands of separatist opponents also gathered in Barcelona and Madrid.