2008/II/25 II International Week of Solidarity with the Basque Country
-Data and assessment-
Participation in the Second International Week of Solidarity with the Basque Country has been very large and crowded. Although we do not have all the data on the table, we can show a profound joy: activities have been conducted in about 25 cities, and that means double the amount of mobilizations of last year's I Week of Solidarity. This year also more people have taken part in the different acts, as over 2,000 people have participated in various rallies, lectures, video, dinners, etc. Moreover, the groups of solidarity with the Basque Country, 'Euskal Herriaren Lagunak' (EHL), have increased and so has the participation of other groups, and social and political organizations. For all these reasons, Askapena congratulates all the ones who have been working in the EHL groups, as well as all the organizations and groups who have taken part in the Second International Week of Solidarity with the Basque Country.
On the other hand, we can not avoid denouncing the strong police presence that, like last year, was oppressively present in most of the acts. We can not forget the role that the police took last year, for example, in Paris where they arrested 16 people who rallied in a peaceful manner, without the slightest incident. This year, again, many different types of uniforms have been seen in many states, as well as many plainclothes policemen. They have covertly taken photos and recorded, and in Caracas launched tear gas bombs against the demonstrators, besides a serious media manipulation aiming to criminalize these solidarity groups.
Denouncing the state of emergency in the Basque Country, and showing solidarity with the Basque people is not free, and this is the reason why we want to thank all of you, because you have denounced the French and Spanish states politics of denial and repression to all and sundry.
From one people to another
The initiatives began in Montevideo, where there was a video projection and a lecture on the situation of the Basque Country. The event was organized by CX36 Radio Centenario and the newspaper Resumen Latinoamericano, and with the participation of the 26 de Marzo Movement, the Revolutionary Communist Party and Fogoneros, among others. It gathered around 100 people.
In the Spanish state there was also many initiatives: In Valladolid (Castilla) there was a rally attended by some 20 people organized by the "Committee of Solidarity with the Peoples'. This group has organized this year other 3 talks and video projections which have gathered hundreds of people, and nearly all the city left organizations.
In the Països Catalans (Catalonia) there have been several acts in Barcelona as well as in the Paìs Valenciá. In Barcelona, as usual, the rally was very crowded. Last Sunday was the day of Solidarity with the Basque Country, where there was "dantzaris" and "bastoners" (Dancers from the Basque Country and Catalonia), and a political act with the member of Askapena Gabi Basañez, and the member of "Amigues i Amics de Euskal Herria" Jordi Villanueva, and after it a popular lunch. 300 people attended the act.
In the Paìs Valenciá the writer Floren Aoiz gave three talks: one in Valencia organized by the 'Ateneu popular, another one in Alacant organised by 'Amics y amigues de Euskal Herria', and the last one in Castelló organized by "CasalPopular". As stated in the Floren Aoiz's blog (http://elomendia.com), 30, 80 and 25 people attended them, with great interest and curiosity.
The French state also saw initiatives of solidarity, more specifically in Paris. In this city, organized by the Committee of Solidarity with the Basque Country there was a video projection, a talk and a lunch, where the member of Batasuna Aizpea Abrisketa took part. It was attended by and 80 people. The Corsican Anti-repressive Committee, the Mapuche Committee of Solidarity, Lokarriak, Secours Rouge, the Committee of Solidarity with the Basque Country in Lille, Txalaparta radio and other groups also took part.
The initiative was different in the Netherlands: they established an electronic voting system in favor of [the two recently illegalized Basque organizations] ANV-SEA, as a way to defending the right of self-determination for the Basque Country and of an independent leftist Basque Country. In just two weeks more than 7,000 people have voted.
In Eire there have been 4 rallies organized by the Committees of Solidarity with the Basque Country in Ireland, especially in front of Spanish Embassies and Consulates, in Derry, Cork, Dublin and Belfast. The first three gathered between 20 and 30 people, and the one in Belfast, 50 people. In Belfast there was also an exhibition of Basque political posters and a video projection.
The more crowded rallies, as far as Europe is concerned, took place Italy, especially in Milano. There have been initiatives in 5 cities. In Rome, the Mayor of the Hernani Marian Beitialarrengoitia had a talk after a dinner of solidarity, attended by 60 people. On the eve, the lawyer Julen Arzuaga, accused in the trial against Gestoras pro-Amnistía, also gave a talk with great public assistance. In Brescia, there was a video projection, distribution of propaganda and a concert attended by some one hundred people. In Bologna around 100 people rallied, with a large police presence. In the University of Palazzo Nuovo in Torino there has been a post information on the Basque Country throughout the week. On Saturday all materials were brought to the street in order to inform people. In Bergamo a large mural was painted on a wall. Finally, the Milano demonstration in favour of the Basque Country that was scheduled to be coupled with another demonstration for the rights of the Kurdish people, met hundreds of people.
In Lisbon, dozens of people convened by ASEH gathered in front of the Spanish Embassy. They demanded an end to the repression and denounced the outlawing of political parties, as well as they show their solidarity with the Basque Country. You can read the chronic made by a Portuguese newspaper at: http://www.portugaldiario.iol.pt/noticia.php?id=919181&div_id=291.
Crossing the ocean, in Colombia, the University of Cali projected video 'Euskal Herria a story of struggle and resistance' in the presence of dozens of people.
In Santiago de Chile the 'Patriotic Movement Manuel Rodriguez' convened a concentration in front of the Spanish Embassy, which was attended by dozens of people, and also they gave a letter for the ambassador to Chile in Spain, and they denounce the presence of uniformed and plainclothes Chileans and Spaniards police.
Further north, in Mexico, about 50 people gathered on Saturday in front of the Spanish Embassy convened by the Basque diaspora group Xabier Mine. The police presence was also very big there, in plain clothes and uniformed. The initiative was recorded on video and you can see here it: http://euskaltube.com/play.php?vid=1353.
In Argentina an initiative will take place on March 6. In the coming days there will be more activities in Italy, Sardinia and WallMapu.
Finally, we denounce again what happened in Caracas. Last Friday, 120 people gathered in front of Spanish Embassy convened by the Coordinadora Simon Bolivar, the Casa de Encuentro Bolivariana "Freddy Parra," the free radio "Al son del 23", the Coordinadora Continental Bolivariana, the Coordinadora Popular de Caracas, the Movement Gayones, and the M-28. The right wing Mayor of Caracas, Leopoldo Lopez, contrary to the Bolivarian process, ordered the police to disband the call. Police used tear gas bombs while people were peacefully chanting slogans. The media later manipulated the facts saying that it was the police who had to run because of the tear gas bombs launched by the people who rallied!! We reiterate the denounce we already made on Saturday: http://www.askapena.org/berriak/men/karpeta_eu/436/ind_ask
Assessment
Askapena thank and congratulate all the people who have taken part in the Second International Week of Solidarity with the Basque Country. We would also like to underline the rise of international solidarity with our people during this last year, (which also has been constant in recent years). This growth is due mainly to two reasons: firstly, the great and good work done by organizers, and second, the resurgence of the politics of denial and repression by the French and Spanish states. Both states, that are working a lot together, have led repression at the highest levels; thus, today any person (either politician, journalist, farmer or a member of any social movement; young or old), or group committed with the construction of the Basque Country is aimed.
Although we have never known any democracy for the Basque Country so far, the state of emergency imposed in recent years has led us to the first place in Europe regarding the violations of civil, political and human rights.
The Spanish and French states would like to impose us such a situation, and would like us, Basque people, to obediently accept it. They would like us to stay at home, as they would like our friends, who show their solidarity with the Basque Country, to be mute and deaf . But neither they will stop the Basque Country, nor they will sever the solidarity links of our friends.
This policy of repression and denial is harmful to the health of democratic states, and as today they hit against the Basque Left, tomorrow they will do the same against other left or pro-independence groups. Repression and denial are harsh, terrible and generate more suffering, but also they are useless in front of the yearning for freedom of this people.
The key to get that the states stop its repressive policy is keep on moving forward in our liberation struggle. But international solidarity is also essential, therefore, once again, thank you very much, MILA ESKER1, for your firm solidarity and for the tenderness showed towards our people.
Haimaka Herri borroka bakarra!! (Many peoples, just one fight)
