Free the February 4th Prisoners

February 4th 2006, Barcelona:

Three people in Barcelona who were going to the underground metro, past by a squated house where a party was taking place. Few moments earlier, there were several
incidents between the atanding the party and four local police. During the
incidents a flower pot was dropped from the squat’s window.

The flower pot hit one of the police officer’s on the head which left him in a coma. Shortly after that lot of police arrived and began beating everyody who was around the neighbourhood. Nine people in total were arrested. Five of those had never even been in the squatted house at all. Three of those arrested were: Alex, Rodri and Juan who are from South America.

Alex, Rodri and Juan were brought to the police station. All were brutally
beaten, harassed, insulted, threatened and tortured.

Barcelona’s mayor made a statement afterwards claiming that the injured police man had been hit by a flower pot dropped from a window of the squat. Alex, Rodri and Juan had
never even been into the house.

Few hours later the mayor councillior changed his mind and said that the people who were outside the house had thrown stones to the police and one of which had hit the police officer who is now in a state of coma.

Alex, Rodri and Juan were charged with: “attempting to injure members of the authorities and attempted homicide”. Juan, like the other ones arrested were charged
with “attempt to authorities and injures”.

Inspite of all this, all of these people arrested were released apart from Juan, Alex and Rodri. The authorities later said that they were foreigners and that they would try to escape.

After which the charges were changed to: The six released people were charged with “attempting to harm the authorities” and Alex, Rodri and Juan were charged with “attempting to harm the authorities and injure with a weapon”.

It’s obvious: that there was a police officer in a coma and they needed to imprison somebody for it, even though they had no evidence against them.

End of April, 2007:

Today more than one year imprisoned awaiting trial: At the beginning of this trail everyone thought that they would be released in a short time because there wasn’t any relevant evidence against them, but unfortunately it was not the case.
To date all the legal options have been exhausted. All three including Rodrigo’s mother began a hunger strike in protest for 30 days in June and July 2006 and set up a number of support groups and to date more and more people continue to call for their immediate freedom.

The latest trial has now said to begin within the next months. Just recently the enquiry agreed that torture was inflicted on those currently imprisoned.

We can not forget any of those imprisoned. Prison is a way of torture. That’s why those imprisoned who are more known as the ‘4th of February’ and all them need our
support and solidarity from the outside. We can’t afford to forget that these people exist.

Freedom for Alex, Rodri and Juan!
Freedom for All Political Prioners!

More info:

http://presos4f.blogspot.com/2007/03/novedades-denuncias-de-torturas.html

300 years: Resistance Continues!

Demonstrations and protests have already got underway throughout the Catalan Countries marking the '300 years of Occupation & Resistance' Campaign. Various campaign groups have posted news items, photos and reports on actions to date on Barcelona Indymedia. Below are links to some protests so far:

http://barcelona.indymedia.org/newswire/display/301228/index.php

http://barcelona.indymedia.org/newswire/display/301225/index.php

http://barcelona.indymedia.org/newswire/display/301211/index.php

http://barcelona.indymedia.org/newswire/display/301147/index.php

http://barcelona.indymedia.org/newswire/display/301516/index.php

http://barcelona.indymedia.org/newswire/display/301498/index.php

http://barcelona.indymedia.org/newswire/display/301456/index.php

http://barcelona.indymedia.org/newswire/display/301413/index.php

http://barcelona.indymedia.org/newswire/display/301409/index.php

http://barcelona.indymedia.org/newswire/display/301407/index.php

http://barcelona.indymedia.org/newswire/display/301402/index.php

http://barcelona.indymedia.org/newswire/display/301397/index.php

Catalan Solidarity Day Of Action In Derry

Members of the Catalan Solidarity:Ireland Committee gathered at ‘Free Derry Corner’ in Derry’s Bogside as part of a day of international solidarity action in conjunction with widespread protests and demonstrations throughout the Catalan Countries.

This year mark’s the 300th anniversary of the occupation of the Catalan Countries by the Spanish forces of occupation following the battle of Almansa in 1707.

During today’s solidarity action the Catalan flag (Estelada) was raised on Free Derry Wall as a symbolic gesture of solidarity to the Catalan people as part the ‘300 years of occupation- 300 years of resistance’ campaign.

As part of the event protesters wore white masks on which the Spanish Flag was placed over their mouths, symbolizing the continual denial of the rights such as self-determination and sovereignty of the Catalan people as a nation.

Following the event at Free Derry Corner protesters distributed information leaflets in Derry's city centre.

Despite heavy rain and strong winds, a spokesperson for the Catalan Solidarity:Ireland Committee thanked those “taking part in today’s action and the solidarity received from the people of Derry”.

“Today’s date cannot be easily forgotten as both the national and social oppression by the Spanish State over the Catalan Countries still continues. Likewise, we can not forget one part of our country, Northern Catalonia, which has been occupied for more than 300 years by the French State.


“In spite of the historical significance of 2007 our country’s occupation was not completed until 1715 when Mallorca fell. The Catalan Countries’ occupation lasted so long due to the wave of popular resistance.

“We view today’s symbolic action in Derry as an important gesture in international solidarity and we would like to thank everyone for taking part in today’s action and the solidarity received from the people of Derry. The Catalan people are fully aware of the enormous strength and courage that the people of Derry and the Bogside in particular in facing down oppression.

”For the Catalan people, we find evidence of that resistance in the continuation to date of the independentist movement which, in spite of years of torture, war, dictatorship, imprisonment and exile, has stood firmly against Spanish occupation challenging the economical and socio-political order established upon the Catalan people.

“This is why we celebrate the ‘300 years of occupation- 300 years of resistance’ campaign. We invite all organisations to keep on defending our language and our culture from Spanish bullying impositions. “

Let's Celebrate Juanra's Release!

On May 14th, Catalan Political Prisoner, Juan Ramón Rodríguez Fernández will be released following 5 years of imprisonment.

Following his arrest in Holland and a several court hearings on ‘trumped-up’ charges brought by a notorious Spanish Judge connecting Juanra with links with the Basque group ETA. On October 23rd 2003, Juanra was extradited to the Spanish State despite widespread solidarity protests and demonstrations throughout Europe.

The Catalan Political Prisoners organisation, RESCAT, will be holding a series of solidarity celebrations upon his release.They invite people to celebrate somehow his release on May 14th and to send pictures of the event which will be printed and handed out to him.

The Catalan Solidarity: Ireland Committee takes this opportunity to also extend our solidarity greetings to Juanra. Visca Irlanda! Visca Catalunya!

You can send messages of solidarity to Juanra directly to campaign by emailing: llibertatjuanra@gmail.com.

If you or your group has organised any events etc upon his release then please contact info@rescat.org

For those interested in Juanra's campaign click on the links below:
http://www.freejuanra.org/en/index.html

Catalan Solidarity Protest Free Derry Corner

On Wednesday 25th April at midday, the Catalan Solidarity Ireland Committee will hold a symbolic solidarity protest at Free Derry Corner in conjunction with widespread demonstrations throughout the Catalan Countries.

The protests mark’s the 300th anniversary of the occupation of the Catalan Countries by the Spanish State following the battle of Almansa in 1707.

We invite all organisations to keep on defending our language and our culture from Spanish bullying impositions. We invite all associations which work daily to transmit the historical truth lived within the Catalan Countries.

We invite all the people who want take a stand to end with 300 years of occupation to participate in showing our refusal to this economical and national colonization.

We won’t be silenced in front of the injustices committed against our people.

300 Years of Occupation - 300 Years of Resistance!

Bon Pastor demolition begins

On Monday April 16th, 2007, the diggers have begun the Bon Pastor's cheap houses demolition; these were popular buildings constructed by the Patronat Municipal de l'Habitatge in 1929 to house immigrants who came to Barcelona from Murcia, Andalucía and Catalunya interiors looking for a job. During 80 years the houses inhabitants have been abandoned and they've had to keep their homes with their own money and efforts. And now that the city has reached the district, the Patronat remembers its terrains and starts tearing down houses.

The Associació de Veïns(Neighbours association) has achieved to persuade the neighbourhood not only that 80 years of history were not worth conserving, but even that there were no need to indemnify anyone affected. The dream of owning a flat has divided the neighbours and has created a diffuse uneasiness which adds to the mobbing that are suffering the neighbours who resist. SOLIDARITY WITH BON PASTOR NEIGHBOURS' STRUGGLES.

300 Years of Occupation - 300 Years of Resistance!

This year marks the 300th anniversary of the occupation of the Catalan Countries by the Spanish State following the battle of Almansa in 1707. This date cannot be easily forgotten as both the national and social oppression by the Spanish State over the Catalan Countries still continues.

Likewise, we can not forget one part of our country, Northern Catalonia, which has been occupied for more than 300 years by the French State.

In spite of the historical significance of 2007 our country’s occupation was not completed until 1715 when Mallorca fell. The Catalan Countries’ occupation lasted so long due to the wave of popular resistance.

We find evidence of that resistance in the continuation to date of the independentist movement which, in spite of years of torture, war, dictatorship, imprisonment and exile, has stood firmly against Spanish occupation challenging the economical and socio-political order established upon the Catalan people.

This is why we celebrate the “300 years of occupation- 300 years of resistance” campaign. We invite all organisations to keep on defending our language and our culture from Spanish bullying impositions. We invite all associations which work daily to transmit the historical truth lived within the Catalan Countries. We invite all the people who want take a stand to end with 300 years of occupation to participate in showing our refusal to this economical and national colonization. We won’t be silenced in front of the injustices committed against our people. We shall only stop when we are free!

300 Years of Occupation - 300 Years of Resistance!

FREEDOM FOR NURIA!

Nuria Portulas who is a Catalan citizen was arrested on February 7th 2007.
She spent 2 days in solitary confinement under the anti-terrorist law, following which, she gave evidence in court. Thereafter the judge ordered that she would remain in custody to await trial for charges of collaboration with an armed group (she could spend up to 4 years in jail without trial).

Her only crime was to express her solidarity with other anarchists imprisoned and the possession of some anarchist leaflets.

Every week there is a rally in various palces demanding her freedom.

This is another example of the Spanish State's repression against any form of political opposition.

more info: http://elsud.org/nuri/