Catalan Solidarity: Xmas Rallies of Solidarity For Prisoners

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Xmas Rallies of Solidarity For Prisoners

Last month hundreds of people mobilized for the Catalan political prisoners by organizing a total of 20 torch marches in different towns and cities throughout the Catalan Countries.

A the end of each march, a press release from anti-repressive organisation Rescat was read, demanding the amnesty for all political prisoners “not as a simple release, but as a step forward within a global solution” to the political conflict. “Because overcoming the conflicts which generate political prisoners, must primarily sweep away the political problems which originate confrontation”.

Members of the organisation expressed their delight as the numbers of participants in the solidarity marches during Xmas time is rising every year. These marches have been under the slogan “We Want Them Home for Xmas” as used during the 80’s and 90’s solidarity rallies then taken place in support of the prisoners of the armed group Terra Lliure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3RWXJ0PC1E
http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx3_fToSxoE

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.