Catalan Solidarity: Tarragona March 8th Demonstration

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Tarragona March 8th Demonstration

Several Catalan Feminist collectives rallied in the streets of Tarragona on March 8th as part of the 2009 International Women's Day celebrations. Many of the groups which included the trade unions, spoke of the Spanish state level of surveillance throughout the rally by agents of the Guàrdia Urbana and the Mossos d'Esquadra, who identified members of the various organisations involved and those who spoke during the celebrations. However successful event was rounded off with a popular meal at the Casal Popular Sageta de Foc which included Jamaican music and dance.

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.