Catalan Parliament Votes to Declare Independence From Spain

The regional parliament in Catalonia has voted to declare independence from Spain as Madrid prepares to impose direct rule on the region. The lawmakers have called for the establishment of a new Catalan Republic. Parliament announced just before 3:30 p.m. local time on Friday that 70 lawmakers had voted in favor of a motion to secede from Spain. Members from the opposition Socialists and Citizens parties boycotted the vote.Responding to the news, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called for calm and said the rule of law would be restored in the autonomous region. Lawmakers in Madrid are preparing to impose direct rule in Catalonia and remove the region's leader. James Valles reports. (BNO News)