People have started occupying polling stations in Catalonia in a bid to ensure Sunday's referendum Vite goes ahead, as thousands gather in Barcelona for a final rally.
Spain's Government in Madrid, which is totally against the vote, has sent thousands of police reinforcements to the Catalonian capital of Barcelona to stop people from voting.
A court on Wednesday ordered police to prevent the use of public buildings "for the preparation and organisation" of the referendum.
But as classes ended for the day, small groups of activists, including parents with their children, on Friday peacefully occupied several schools in Barcelona where voting is scheduled to take place.
"We want to make sure the school is open for activities and at night when they might come to clear us out or empty it, there will be families sleeping or people in the street," Hector, a 43-year-old local, told Reuters news agency.
I am going to sleep here, with my oldest son who is a student here," Gisela Losa, a mother of three, told AFP news agency at Reina Vionant primary school in Barcelona's Gracia neighbourhood.
The head of the Catalan regional police has ordered officers to evacuate and close polling stations by 6 am on Sunday, before the voting is due to open at 9 am.
Madrid has repeatedly warned those who help stage a referendum which the courts have ruled unconstitutional that they face repercussions.
Spain's education ministry said in a statement on Friday that school directors in Catalonia "were not exempt from liability" if they cooperated.
The Catalan government says 2,315 polling stations are ready for the October 1 vote.
On Friday evening, about 10,000 supporters of the referendum gathered off Barcelona's Placa d'Espanya, or Spain Square.
Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont said regardless of how many people actually cast the ballots, if a majority say "yes", he will declare independence on Tuesday.
"In these hugely intense and hugely emotional moments, we sense that what we once thought was only a dream is within reach," Puigdemont told a cheering crowd.
"On Sunday, we have a date with the future."
Meanwhile, spanish club, Barcelona and other clubs plying their trade in the region may seek greener pastures in the premier league if Catalonia gains independence, the region's sports minister have said.