Catalan Solidarity: Unity Gathering in Solidarity with the Basque Country

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Unity Gathering in Solidarity with the Basque Country

Today, January 20th, around a hundred people gathered in St. Jaume Square in Barcelona in Solidarity with the Basque Country.

STATEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY

Without Democracy there is No Peace. Self- Determination

The process for the resolution of the political conflict which is about to start in the Basque Country, has as an objective to create the democratic bases to overcome the confrontation, including all the political options within the Basque society, around two negotiation tables: one consisting of political parties, trade unions and social organisations with the aim to reach a common agreement. And another one formed by E.T.A. and the Spanish Government, in order to promote demilitarization and to resolve the situation of the Basque political prisoners.

E.T.A. called a ceasefire in March 2006. Both the French and Spanish authoritites must give a firm step forward towards peace. There is a feeling of hope amongst the Basque people. The overcoming of conflict is possible. In order for negotiations to progress participation is required from everyone in the struggle for a democratic solution for the rights of the Basque Country.

For these reasons, we make a call to both the French and Spanish State to get involved in the process of dialogue and negotiation, accepting the right of the Basque people to decide upon their own future.

Source: http://www.ccsi-si.org/

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.