barcelona 700 mayors across catalonia gather barcelona saturday confirm support plan independence referendum madrid declare illegal catalan government plan hold referendum self rule wealthy northeastern region oct. despite strong opposition government challenge vote constitutional court mayors meet catalonia regional head carles puigdemont show defiance follow spanish prosecutors warn early week officials engage preparations vote could charge civil disobedience abuse office misuse public fund wednesday spanish prosecutors summon question 700 mayors say would allow municipal space use vote mayors respond order police arrest order say meet downtown barcelona front hundreds flag wave pro-independence protesters mayors give speeches promise continue support referendum amid chant vote independence barcelona mayor ada colau reach agreement catalan regional government allow vote city criticize madrid response crisis short speech city hall disgrace government incapable dialogue instead dedicate pursue intimidate mayors media colau say far 740 948 municipal leaders say would allow municipal space use referendum accord association municipalities independence ami spanish police raid several print shop newspaper offices recent days hunt vote paper ballot box leaflets use referendum catalonia top court friday issue warn seven newspapers publish campaign notice referendum court spokesperson say saturday prime minister mariano rajoy call return rationality legality promise block vote thing ask catalan mayors comply law participate illegal referendum rajoy say poll show minority catalans want independence although majority want chance vote issue scottish government lend support catalan referendum cabinet secretary external affairs fiona hyslop say scotland 2014 referendum self rule agree westminster edinburgh positive example resolve dispute people right self determination choose form government best suit need principle enshrine un charter hyslop say statement saturday side scottish independence referendum catalan mayors defy spanish court ahead independence vote