Catalan Solidarity: Solidarity at Annual Bloody Sunday Commemoration

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Solidarity at Annual Bloody Sunday Commemoration

Members and supporters of the Catalan Solidarity Ireland Committee took part in this years Bloody Sunday commemorative march in Derry.

This year marked the 35th year of which the relatives of those murdered and wounded by British Paratroopers, demonstrated with the people of Derry and across Ireland to demand truth and justice.

Thousands of people from across Ireland and many political backgrounds attended what has now become an annual week long solidarity event that includes political debate, theatre, music as well as a commemorative vigil to those murdered whilst attending a peaceful march and rally through the Derry back in January 1972.

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.