CATALONIA erupted into chaos today amid calls for immediate independence after Spain announced it would begin the implementation of Article 155.
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's Cabinet in Spain met this morning to agree to roll out hardline rules to penalise the breakaway region and impose direct rule.
Elections could be held in just six months as the government seeks to oust all those involved in the “illegal” referendum - including Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont who could even face jail for his role in the crisis.
But now Catalonia has hit back over his stinging rant, as calls for immediate independence erupt among fierce secessionists.
Supporters of independence had already called a demonstration in Barcelona this afternoon to protest the arrests of two Catalan activists accused of sedition.
However, the event has now changed its focus and is directing its anger at Madrid for triggering of Article 155.
Thousands of people have taken to the streets with cries of “independence” or “TV3 will always be ours” after the government took control of the Catalan broadcasting company - akin to Britain’s BBC.
Dozens of coaches have flocked from different parts of Catalonia to the 450,000-strong demonstration, demanding the region’s freedom and insisting on the release of Jordi Sànchez and Jordi Cuixart.
Outraged campaigners have also lashed out at the Spanish government for denying them their voice following the vote on October 1.
Oriol Junqueras, the Catalan vice-president, accused the government of “totalitarianism”.
And a spokesman for the left-wing Podemos party claimed that Rajoy wanted to “humiliate” Catalonia.
Barcelona’s mayor Ada Colau called the move “an attack on everyone’s rights and freedoms”.
And Pablo Echenique, a spokesman for Podemos, tweeted: “The most corrupt party in Europe, which has 8.5% of the vote in Catalonia and is going to govern it. A terrible day for any democrat.”
Maria Rosa Bertran said that "once again we have taken to the streets as an active, non-violent society”.
And the Barcelona insisted Catalans are committed to "respond in a coordinated and continuous way before any action that violates human rights and freedoms fundamental of Catalonia."
Referring to the year in which Spanish dictator Francisco Franco died, Josep Lluis Cleries said: “It is a complete suspension of democracy, a coup d’état against the people of Catalonia. We have returned to 1975.”
Carles Riera, of the CUP, has called for the permanent mobilisation of citizens over what he considers a "coup d'état" of the Government.
While Xavier Adam, a London-born financial investor who was brought up in Catalonia, said he believe Rajoy will get nowhere by acting so aggressively towards Catalonia.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, he said: "It’s the usual to be expected of Rajoy but yet again there is very little he can do.
"He could have avoided all this by talking to the Catalan government months ago, but now the Catalans will refuse to back down.
"They’re in this now, the ball is going down the hill, they've decided this is what they want and they will not back down.
"The whole thing is unwinding, unravelling for Rajoy, there are so many elements to this.
"It is so flawed the way he is going about this, the heavy-handed actions, when the Catalonian’s have mentality left Spain already.
"He is not going to get anywhere, he’s just clutching at straws."
Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks, also weighed into the debate today, calling Mr Rajoy’s move undemocratic.
He tweeted: “Spain's PM has responded to Catalonia's calls for dialogue with a plan (announced today, minimizing press coverage) to remove its president and cabinet and to take over its institutions by force, effectively granting control of Catalonia to a party with just 8% of the vote.”
Mariano Rajoy expressed his anger during the press conference at the lack of dialogue and blasted the Catalan leader for wanting to “impose” his will on Spain.
And he said he would curb the powers of the parliament of Catalonia, sack its government and call an election within six months in a bid to thwart a drive by the autonomous region to break away from Spain.
Rajoy said his government had taken this unprecedented decision to restore the law, make sure regional institutions were neutral, and to guarantee public services and economic activity as well as preserve the civil rights of all citizens.
The measures must now be approved by Spain's upper house, the Senate, where a vote is scheduled for October 27.