We're seeing a reaction - and people taking to the streets with pots and pans - in areas where the independence movement isn't supposed to exist. People have to choose between one model and another. Everyone in Catalonia has realised that not taking part means ratifying the politics of repression of the Spanish government.

In this quote, Carles Puigdemont, the former President of Catalonia, discusses the growing support for the independence movement in regions of Catalonia where it was once thought that the movement had limited traction. He refers to the reaction of the people, symbolized by protests where people are taking to the streets with pots and pans, a reference to the symbolic protests that have been used in many social movements. Puigdemont suggests that the people's actions demonstrate their increasing frustration with the current political situation, particularly the Spanish government's stance on Catalonian self-determination.

Puigdemont emphasizes that, in his view, Catalans are being forced to make a choice between two conflicting models: one of independence and self-governance, and another of continuing the status quo under the control of the Spanish government. He argues that this is a crucial moment for the people of Catalonia, where their decision to either engage in the movement or remain passive will determine their stance on the politics of repression imposed by Spain. Puigdemont implies that by not participating in the push for independence, individuals are essentially endorsing the Spanish government’s policies, which he views as oppressive.

The mention of the politics of repression points to the ongoing conflicts between Catalonia and Spain, particularly after the Catalonian independence referendum in 2017, which was deemed illegal by the Spanish government. Puigdemont frames the issue as one of political oppression, where the Spanish government’s actions, such as police violence and the imprisonment of political leaders, have forced people to take sides. For Puigdemont, not participating in the independence movement equates to passively accepting the Spanish government's approach to Catalonian autonomy.

Ultimately, Puigdemont’s quote captures the rising tension in Catalonia, where the fight for independence has intensified across all regions, not just those traditionally supportive of the cause. He suggests that this is a critical juncture where the people must either actively engage in the struggle for self-determination or accept the continuation of what he sees as the repressive policies of the Spanish state.