People gather as they wait for the start of the closing meeting of the Catalan pro-independence groups and political parties that campaign for 'Yes' in the October 1 referendum on self-determination in Catalonia, in Barcelona on September 29, 2017. With two days left until an independence referendum in Catalonia opposed by Madrid, Catalan leaders say they have over 2,000 polling stations ready despite a crackdown on their preparations for the vote. / AFP PHOTO / LLUIS GENE