Catalan Solidarity: Communique of Endavant (OSAN) In relation to the arrest of two members of the Assembly of Independentist Youth of Badalona (AJIB-The Avant-Garde)

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Communique of Endavant (OSAN) In relation to the arrest of two members of the Assembly of Independentist Youth of Badalona (AJIB-The Avant-Garde)

On 3 January, the Local Police in Badalona stopped 2 militants of the Assembly of Independentist Youth of Badalona (AJIB) who were squating a property in the neighborhood of Badaloní Progress.

Regarding these facts, we (Endevant, OSAN) show our solidarity and we, the two arrested along with the AJIB in the work that it carries out daily in Badalona, believe that repression will not stop the fight of this assembly or of the young people of the independence movement and revolutionaries of the Catalan Countries.

We denounce the illegal arrest of both activists and the unacceptable and delirious accusation of "robbery with intent". Once again the repressive bodies are attempting to divert the debate regarding the issue of squating, inventing accusations and criminalizing the movement. Attempting to stop freedom of speech and as well as the project that goes along with every squat that is established in society.

At present, due to the price increase in housing, miserable salaries, poor work conditions etc and also to the lack of disposable public premises. The young people practically only have the option to squat to have access to housing or in other types of premises available to them. A place to meet to develop cultural and political activities without institutional restrictions.

Because of this we ask for their immediate release without conditions place upon these two activists and so we reiterate our support for them.

Source: Endavant (Socialist Organization of National Liberation)

Support that Political Prisoners receive from inside Catalonia

Catalan Solidarity has been inspired by the work of Catalan Anti-Repressive organisations such as Alerta Solidària and Rescat, who were set up with the aim of supporting Catalan people who have been imprisoned by the Spanish government for politically motivated activism. Following mass arrests and imprisonment of activists connected to the independentists and anti-fascist movements an informal collective came together to provide both practical support to prisoners and challenge the media portrayal of such individuals which had been fuelled throughout the Spanish mainland by a government, media and police conspiracy. As well as offering practical support and advice to imprisoned Catalans, their supporters and those awaiting trial, Rescat has been involved in high profile demonstrations, including those in front of the main court in Madrid where people have been judged, actions to support political prisoners who are on hunger strike and events to raise awareness of the political situation in Catalonia.