They can’t really claim a mandate for leaving when those who wanted to stay boycotted the vote. That said, it would have been much less divisive if a proper referendum had been sanctioned.
92% pro, from a 43% turnout = 39.56% of the electorate in favour of Catalan independence.
Compare to 52% of 72% = 37.44% of the electorate in favour of Brexit.
As someone born in Barcelona, with dual Spanish/British nationality, all I can say with certainty is that I’m deeply saddened to lose not one, but possibly now two connections to my European neighbours.
Someone doesn’t agree I am deeply saddened?!
Why bother showing up to an illegal referendum, especially when the very fact of it being illegal means no result can be trusted as accurate?
Politics affects you whether you find it "illegal" or not