Other accident happened yesterday. Three person were injured when they were returning of visit a basque political prisoner. Basque political prisoners were dispersed in spanish and french states. This politic produce accidents, economic and emocional costs and sometimes deaths. "Herrira" (A movement that fights for basque political prisoners rights) asked spanish and french states to end with this kind of torture.
"Nafarroaren eguna" (Nafarroa day) was celebrated yesterday in Baigorri ("iparralde" north basque country). This celebration claims for the union of Nafarroa. This year celebration remembered the conquest of Nafarroa kingdom in 1512. It is also an excellent opportunity to watch basque culture (dance, mitology etc.).Some photos and a video:
D3M and "Askatasuna" are going to be judged this week. D3M was a political party (linked with "Ezker Abertzalea" pro-independence and socialist) created to avoid spanish "justice" illegalisations. In spain some organazitions that supports independence and socialism were illegal: Batasuna (ezker abertzalea), Segi, Askatasuna etc.
Pro-independence and leftist basque political parties have signed an agreement. Ezker abertzalea (basque pro-independence and socialist political partie), EA (basque pro-independence, social-democratic and escision of PNV), Alternatiba (leftist, pro-self-determination and escision of spanish IU), Aralar (pro-independence and escision of Ezker Abertzalea and AB (basque pro-independence and socialist). This agreement includes 5 points and will be fighted in all Euskal Herria:
1. Social and political rights for Euskal Herria
2. A new economic alternative
3. Euskera (basque language) official in all Euskal Herria.
4. Build Euskal Herria as a nation
5. Self-determination for Euskal Herria
Spanish army had provoked again basque country. They occupied Elgeta in the 75 anniversary of the conquest of spanish fascist army in civil war. The town hall and people dennounced this new provocation.
The accident
Basque political disperssion caused another accident. A basque political prisoner was beated this week in a spanish prison.
14 youth were arrested yesterday in Iruña. Most of them are accusated of participing in the riots happened last general strike. Most of them are free now but they will be judged. Spanish police, local police and Foral police have participated in this arrests. Antirepressive movement have dennounced the last arrests that are happening in all Nafarroa.
Spanish goverment continues cutting back in education (teachers fired, more hours for less teachers, public universities more expensive), social politics (less economic help etc.), health (free medication will not exist) etc. More teachers will be fired next months.
Txomin Sola
Txomin Sola (Iruña) got free yesterday. He had been imprisoned and dispersed for 18 years in spanish prisons.
Spanish police had been present in all "ongi etorri" (welcome) acts. They threatened people that was preparing these acts.
Iker Beristain (Getxo) is going to get free today. He was arrested in France and imprisoned. After that, he was again imprisoned in spain.
Spanish "justice" minister have announced that "life imprisonment" will be applied only for "terrorist" acts.
With this words, spanish "justice" minister have announced that only basque fighters (and few militants of Galiza etc.) will be in prison for life. A new attack against basque people.
Eneko Etxandi has been arrested (he is from Arizkun) today. Foral police accuses him of participating in Iruña riots in the last general strike.
Ares (Euskadi's Interior minister) will not dimit. PSOE accuses "Batasuna world" (pro-independence and socialist) of a "dirty" campaign against Ares after Iñigo Cabacas death.
On April 26, it will be the 75 anniversary of Gernika bombing. There will be special calendar with this theme next days.
27.000 people supported the demonstration called by "Herrira" (movement fights for basque political prisoners rights). They have asked the ending of special actions against basque prisoners, especially "parot doctrine" which lengthen prisoners sentence. This doctrine is usually used against basque political prisoners.
Demonstration in support of Iñigo Cabacas continues all along basque country: Iruña, Gasteiz, Bilbo etc.
Demonstration in Iruña
Demonstration in Iruña
Ernesto Prat (basque political prisoner) got free yesterday. Guardia Civil (spanish militar police) had led the people that was preparing his "ongi etorri" (welcome).
Pro-independence political parties (comitted with basque peace process) had asked again Ares dimission. They required a new police alternative for basque country. ELA (one of the main workers union of basque country) have also said that Ertzaintza is out of basque society.
In all basque country there are next police forces: Policia Foral (Nafarroa), Guardia Civil (militar police all south basque country), Spanish police (all south basque country), Ertzaintza (Euskadi), National Gendarmeria (all north basque country), spanish army in some areas of basque country, local police and private security.
Hundreds of people have claimed justice for Iñigo Cabacas yesterday in Basauri. PNV will not require Ares dimission. PNV was one of the main creators of Ertzaintza and they had used it to attack pro-independence and socialist movement in Basque Country.
Two youth (they are from Santurtzi) will be judged in Audencia Nacional (a special tribunal created to fight against basque struggle) soon. Eleak (movement for basque country social and politic rights) have denounced this new attack against basque youth movement. Another young was arrested yesterday in Lizarra, he is also accusated of participing in the riots that happened the last general strike.
TODAY I AM GOING TO INCLUDE MORE LINKS ABOUT BASQUE YOUTH MOVEMENT, ALL PAGES ARE IN BASQUE OR SPANISH BUT IF YOU UNDERSTAND SOMETHING IT CAN BE INTERESTING.
Basque political prisoners colective have elected the new speakers that will speak with Spanish and French states. Some of them were important members of ETA direction in the past. According to their opinion, amnesty and self-determination right will be essential to solve Basque Conflict. Spanish and French states have blocked prisoners theme.
Basque political prisoners colective is now in a discussion about the new situation created in Euskal Herria (basque country) and they are looking for solutions but they are sure that solve will be colective and not individual (spanish state with french state support wants an individual process). Conclusions will be published next months.
In one of the demonstrations in support of Iñigo Cabacas, Ertzaintza have identified some people and beated them with batons.
Foral police (Nafarroa) have arrested one youth in Lizarra (Nafarroa). He is accusated of participating in riots that happened in the last general strike. In Lizarra, controls of Foral police and guardia civil (spanish militar police) were increasing.
Youth movement in Antsoain (Nafarroa) had occupied an empty building. They were asking a Gaztetxe (self-managed young-home). Soon they were evicted by police and some roads of Antsoain have been cut by spanish police.
Yesterday, hundreds of people supported Iñigo Cabases family in his funeral. After that, family and friends have called for a silent demonstration in Basauri. Basauri's city council (PNV) will be in this demonstration. The slogan of this demonstrations will be: "Iñigo Pitu beti gurekin. Ez dago eskubiderik. No hay derecho" (Iñigo Pitu (Pitu is his nick) always with us. There is no right.)
Bildu (pro-independence and leftist coalition) have called for other demonstration today in Bilbo.
Ibai Peña
Ibai Peña, who was arrested in north basque country by french police, will be moved to spanish state after an European arrest warrant. Ibai Peña has fled from south basque country when spanish state decided to arrest him (he is accused of being member of Segi a youth organization (pro-independence and socialist) illegal in Spain). He is also accusated of throwing petrol bombs against banks. He has been living in north basque country for years (with the support of north basques).
Segi (in north of basque country is legal) has announced that they support him. For being member of Segi in Hegoalde (south basque country) you can be imprisoned for 6 years.
Demonstration Algorta: "stop police brutality and impunity"
Ares has admitted that a rubber ball throwed by Ertzaintza was the cause of Iñigo Cabacas death. According to his opinion, there could be "negligence" in Ertzaintza actuation. Ares have criticized "Ezker abertzalea" (leftist pro-independence) for "politizing" Iñigo Cabacas death. There have been paintings against PSOE in some towns and in Gasteiz (capital of Araba) a road has been cut with burning dumpsters. There have been demonstrations in some cities of basque country. One of the most important have been in Algorta (near from Bilbo where Iñigo Cabacas die).
In some cities demonstrations have been threatened by Ertzaintza and almost 2 youth have been identified when they were putting posters of protest for this new attack.
EH Bai
Amaiur (pro-independence coalition south basque country) have asked in spanish parlament the finish of excepcional actions against basque political prisoners. EH bai (pro-independence coalition north basque country) main objetives in "french" elections will be: Overcome political conflict, a new social alternative ( and people rights (right to house etc.).
Iñigo Cabacas was a supporter of Atlectic. He was celebrating the victory of his team in Bilbo when Ertzaintza charged against people mass in the old part of Bilbo. Ertzaintza hit him with a rubber ball at head and when his friends tried to protect him they beated them. Repression forces broke Iñigo Cabacas head and yesterday he die.
Iñigo Cabacas's friends
Pro-independence political parties have asked Euskadi's interior minister (member of PSOE) dimission. Iñigo Cabacas friends and family have asked people to be peaceful in their denunciation. Two thousands of people participated in a tribute in Bilbo. With "ikurriñas" and athletic flags Iñigo Cabacas family was supported by basque people: "Ez dago eskubiderik, Iñigo gogoan zaitugu" (There is not right, we remember you Iñigo).
The last general strike, another youth was seriously injured by a rubber ball. Spanish police, Ertzaintza, Guardia civil and Foral police usually use this arms to attack demonstrations. Dozens of basque have loose eyes, thousands were injured and some of them (as Iñigo Cabacas) have dead. Europe Union have asked the past year spanish state to not use this arms.
Ibai Peña (arrested by french police the past 28) will be moved to Spain. Spain and French states usually colaborates in repression against basque dissidence. 4 members of "Mugitu!" (a organization that fights against High-Speed train) will be judged by "Audencia Nacional" (a court created to fight against basque struggle). They are accusated of throwing pies against "Yolanda Barcina" (president of Nafarroa and member of UPN right-wing spanish political party). They can be imprisoned for 10 years for that action.
"Aberri Eguna" was celebrated yesterday in Iruña. 30.000 demonstrators marched in Iruña streets called by "Independentistak" (a asociation that supports the independence of Basque Country) asking for the independence of Basque Country. Youth movement and almost basque political parties (except PNV) supported this march. Besides, 2000 youth have marched in Iparralde (north basque country) and Hegoalde (south basque country) convocated by Jalgi Hadi in the mendi-martxa (mountain crossing).
Demonstration in support of his family
Spanish repression (with the support of traitors and colaborators) have caused another death in Basque Conflict. On Thursday after "Athletic-Schalke" football game (Europa League) Ertzaintza (Euskadi's autonnomous police) attacked Athletic supporters. Iñigo Cabacas was celebrating the football game in the "Herriko Taberna" (pro-independence pub) when Ertzaintza hit him with a rubber ball at head and then beated him. Today he has dead in the hospital. The past general strike another youth almost die after Ertzaintza attack. Pro-independence political parties and Iñigo Cabacas friends have asked the dimission of Euskadi's Interior minister (member of PSOE and they govern Euskadi with the support of right-wing PP).
Txabi Etxebarrieta (Bilbo 1944-1968) was the first militant of ETA that was kill by spanish ocupation forces and the first militant of ETA killing: He killed a "guardia civil" (spanish militar police) in a shooting.
He had asthma and that illness conditionated his life. He studied economics in university. He was one of the leaders of ETA and he wrote a lot of text that will help to define which are some main ideas about basque national liberation movement.
In 1968 south basque country was oppressed by a fascist dictatorship. ETA, founded in 1958 (oficially in 1959) started a new way of struggle. In 1937 the last forces of basque country (composed by pro-independence, basque nationalist, anarchists and communist and leaded by Basque Nationalist Party) loose in the spanish civil war. In the next years some guerrillas tried to defeat the dictatorship. Basque Nationalist Party in 1940's started to support a peaceful strategy. In the next years this strategy will prove that was a mistake.
ETA, supports a new kind of nationalism (leftist, activist etc.) and started using armed struggle. Spanish state react with more violence (torturing, banning, killing etc.) In 1968, Txabi Etxebarrieta and another militant of ETA were intercepted by Guardia Civil. The car that they were driving was stolen. Txabi Etxebarrieta shot against one of the militar police (killing him) and then they escaped. After that, in the same day in other shooting, spanish militar police killed Txabi Etxebarrieta after beating him.
This was the beginning of the spiral: Action-Reaction-Action. Next month ETA killed "Meliton Manzanas" a torturer.
In this short article I will summarize the history of one basque armed organization.
Iparretarrak (northerners) was an armed organization of North Basque Country (Iparralde in basque). It was founded in 1973 and their first action was an businessman that was involved in a social conflict with his workers. They beated him.
The main targets of Iparretarrak were french state interests, french police and capitalist interests (banks, tourist economy etc.). Their objetive was independence of basque country and a new social model that respects people (socialism).
Iparretarrak was founded in a special context. In Hegoalde ETA was increasing their armed actions and spanish state repression was also increasing. Political and social situation in south basque country was explosive. Refugees of south basque country look for protection in north basque country and ETA was building a new logistical structure in Iparralde.
Nationalist movement in Iparralde was also growing, but it needed a new way of dealing with the reality. Enbata, PNV, ETA etc. were the main organizations of north basque country. Basque culture was ridiculized and french state is using it to attract tourism. Euskera was not official and it was dissapearing. People were shamed of talking basque. Young people inmigrated to France looking for job and industry it was not developed in iparralde. North basque country was "dying".
IK death militants
Some young people realized that there must be a new way to change this situation. Firstly, they supported ETA actions (with militants, protection, material etc.) but then they realized that Iparralde must also use arms to fight. They started with small actions with petrol bombs, sabotages, beatings etc. They decided that targets must be materials but they also decided using arms if they were attacked by french ocupation forces.
In 1977 they increased their actions. A lot of people in Iparralde supported them and with their protection they can move all along north basque country. ETA and IK have differents opinions about using armed struggle in iparralde. According with ETA, first south basque country must be liberated and then Iparralde. But IK opinion was that armed struggle can be used in Iparralde adapting it to the context (in south basque country armed struggle was more strong with hundreds of deads). This situation divided pro-independence movement in Iparralde for some years.
Another little armed groups started to use arms in iparralde: Hordago, base etc. But soon they dissapeared or fusioned with IK.
IK members
French state repression increased against refugees and north basque country people. Dozens of arrests, more police ocupation, ilegalization of some basque national liberations organizations etc. In 1980 "Txomin Olhagarai" and "Ramuntxo Arraiz" will die when he was placing an explosive. In 1984 "Didier Lafitte" will die when french police shooted him, in 1987 "Maddi Hegi" will die when french police arrested her, "Jean Louis Larre" will be kidnapped by french state (his body never appeared) etc. In some gunfires 3 french police die.
IK asked to Iparralde pro-independence movement to unit against French state and they proposed a new autonomic institution for Iparralde: Another step in the way of independence.
In 1985 a IK command will free some militants of IK that were imprisoned in French state. This action will provoke the increasing of repression in Iparralde. In 1980's spanish paramilitary groups were killing refugees and ETA members in iparralde with the permission of French state.
IK will accept the cease-fire of 1998 and they will continue with armed struggle when the cease fire was broken. They dissapeared in 2000's with no official comunicate. But armed action continued in north basque country the next years: Direct-action, Irrintzi etc.Filipe Bidart (one of the foundators of IK) get free in 2007 after being imprisoned for 21 years. Nowadays he can not live in iparralde because french state have forbidden him to live in basque country.
IK changed iparralde political and social situation. Thanks to them and all the basque national liberation movement (EMA etc.) iparralde will resist French state strategy and they develop an pro-independence/social system alternative.
The city council of Atarrabia (Nafarroa) has been forced to put the spanish flag in the town. "Ikurriña" (basque flag) is prohibited in Nafarroa's public buildings (not in Euskadi or Iparralde). In 1978 a popular referendum supported the Ikurriña in Atarrabia. Dozens of Ikurriña's has been colocated to protest against this imposition.
Tomorrow will start "mendi-martxa" (mountain-crossing) in Sara. There will be delegations from other countries like: Scotland (Socialist Party), Ireland (Ógra Sinn Féin) and Paisos Catalans (Catalonia CAJEI and Maulets) . This mendi-martxa is organized by youth pro-independence and socialist movement of Basque Country. The main theme of this year will be the conquest of Nafarroa's kingdom.
In Gasteiz (capital of Araba) some hooded youth have cut a road with dumpster and then set it on fire.
NEXT 5 DAYS I WILL BE ABROAD
TOMORROW THERE IS PROGRAMATED A SHORT ARTICLE ABOUT "IPARRETARRAK" AN ARMED BASQUE ORGANIZATION
Another militant of LAB have been arrested in Iruña by spanish police. He is also accusated of throwing paint. French police have called 40 people in iparralde (north basque country). They are investigating some graffitis against AHT: Abiadura Handiko Trena (High Speed-Rail). There is a project of building a HSR in basque country. A lot of groups are against this project and sometimes it have been targeted by ETA (killing one of the promotors or attacking structures) and Direct-Action groups.
Aralar considered that the member that have voted in favour of the last proposition in Euskadi's parlament (Gipuzkoa, Bizkaia and Araba) are out of the party.
Aberri Eguna will be this year in Iruña (capital of Nafarroa). The main reason of this election is that this year is one of the most important anniversaries of Basque History. In 1512 the last remnants Nafarroa's kingdom were invaded by spanish kingdom. Thousands of people die for the independence of Nafarroa. 500 years of blood and opression for Euskal Herria.
http://vimeo.com/39748187 Summary of news (photo video)
Spanish police have arrested Berta Garcia. She is militant of LAB (pro-independence and socialist worker union) and she is accusated of throwing paint against Nafarroa's businessmen headquarters.
Spanish court have approved the life sentence in Spain with "parot doctrine": http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctrina_Parot. This new decision will be another obstacle in the basque peace process.
Aralar (a division of Batasuna that is against ETA) is suffering a new internal crisis. Some of their most important members (Ezenarro etc.) have voted in favour of creating a institution (that can manage the new basque peace procces and includes some of the most important political parties of basque country) that will exclude members of Left-Abertzale (pro-independence, Batasuna etc.). They have supported this decision when Aralar have decided to not support that decision.
Demonstrations in support of Xuban, who was seriously injured in general strike after being attacked by Ertzaintza (autonnomous police). More arrested in this demonstrations.
According to the basque workers unions, this general strike (March 29, 2012) has been one of the most succesful general strike's of Basque history. Ten of thousands people demonstrations have marched all along south basque country.
Basque worker unions (ELA-LAB-EHNE-ESK-HIRU etc.) spanish worker unions (CCOO-UGT), pro-independence political parties and hundreds of social organizations have called that day to a general strike against the new labour law.
But in "abertzale" (pro-independence) marchs the main shout have been: "ez da krisia, kapitalismoa da!" (it is not a crisis, is capytalism).
Riots in Nafarroa
Ertzaintza in Gipuzkoa
All the industry (%90-%95), educational system (%85), little shops etc. have stopped that day. In all along basque country, direct action have been used to attack banks and multinational companies: Zara, Corte Ingles, Santander etc.
All repressive police (Ertzaintza, Policia foral, Policia nacional and Policia municipal) and militar police (Guardia Civil) have been movilized. Dozens of young people have been arrested and there have been dozens of injured people (imposibble to know which are the exact data). One young is still in the hospital, in one of the police charges he had been kicked by a rubber ball (police use it to attack demonstrations) in the head. After that, "ertzaintza" beated him with batons.
Direct action in Iruña
Another ertzainta is in the hospital. They charged against demonstrators in Bilbo (capytal of Bizkaia, South basque country) and a stone kicked him in his head.
The main riots have occurred in Nafarroa and Araba. After the general strike in some towns police repression have cotinued, for example in Gasteiz this saturday Ertzaintza have arrested 4 youth in a demonstration. Here some images:
"Nafarroaren eguna" (Nafarroa day) was celebrated yesterday in Baigorri ("iparralde" north basque country). This celebration claims for the union of Nafarroa. This year celebration remembered the conquest of Nafarroa kingdom in 1512. It is also an excellent opportunity to watch basque culture (dance, mitology etc.).Some photos and a video:
