ETA statement (May of 2013)

Stock photo

ETA sent a new statement to the Basque Country, Spanish government and French government this week. According to ETA,  spanish and french governments are responsible for the recent deaths of Angel Figueroa and Xabier Lopez Peña: "are expression of the extreme policies of revenge". Displays also condolences to the friends and family.

"Enough of playing with the lives and rights" of basque political prisoners, ETA also denounces that "causes suffering". In their opinion, spanish/french states and different basque politics are creating excuses to maintain the block and attacking Abertzale Left.

According to them, the attitude of PNV/EAJ (basque autonomist political party) have not been compromised for helping basque prisoners situation. For ETA, the basque prisoners situations and the block can be faced with "the people's steps".

Tens of thousands of people were mobilized on May 1

According to Gara,  tens of thousands protested along the streets of all basque country yesterday. Nowadays, there are more than 230.000 of people without employment. In the different protests that LAB (pro-independence and socialist trade union) organized, participated more than 30.000 of people. The protests were organized in local areas (spanish trade unions called protests in the main cities of Basque Country). The speechs called for a new social model in Basque Country, away from Madrid and Paris capitalists interests. There were also critics for local burguesy and callings for the next general strike on 30th of May.

In north basque country, french trade unions and basque trade unions also were divided. Besides, one of the main french trade unions (CGT) has recently agreed with the French government  a labor refor.

In the demonstrations, groups of unemployed people, picketers who are being judged for their work in the other general strikes and youth movement (Ernai, GK etc.) went with own messages.

Support of LAB mobilizations in different villages and cities of Basque Country:

Baiona (north basque country): 200

Ziburu (north basque country): 250

Maule (north basque country): 160

Donostia (south basque country): 5.000

Oarsoaldea (south basque country): 2.000

Ordizia (south basque country): 1.200

Hernani (south basque country): 1.000

Bilbo (south basque country). 7.000

Ezkerraldea (south basque country): 1.700

Gasteiz (south basque country): 3.000

Iruña (south basque country): 6.000

Lizarra (south basque country): 600

Durango (south basque country): 1.000

Etc...

Some photos:

Hernani

1 of May

Mobilizations in all basque country:

Basque Murals: Independence

The case against Laura Mintegi filed

Laura Mintegi (main representative of EH Bildu in Euskadi) started to be investigated on March. She was being investigated by spanish authorities for a phrase that she said the parliament: "all the victims that have dead for a politic cause are a tragedy" and that deaths "are avoidable". She was accused of "glorifying terrorism".

Finally, the case has been filed. That kind of investigations are common in south basque country.

The "gaztetxe" of Bakio evicted

According to Topatu, the gaztetxe (a squated building self-managed by an assembly of youth people with different ideologies: anarchists, socialists, pro-independence etc.) of Bakio (Bizkaia south basque country) was evicted the past week.

On 26 of April, Ertzaintza (basque regional police) appeared with the lawyers. Despite they initially had an arrogant attitude, finally they quieted. The next day, Ertzaintza appeared again to evict the "gaztetxe". There were not incidents and after a negotiation with the "owner" (who had a new project for the place) youth assembly take all their things. According to the youth assembly, they are going to continue with their struggle.

Lander Fernandez extradited to Spain

A group of people protecting Lander

According to naiz, the basque militant Lander Fernandez was finally extradited to Spain the last weekend.

On the morning, Italian police tried to arrest Lander in Rome. A group of 20 police appeared in the house where he was protected by dozens of people (including two lawyers and two parliamentarians). After a negotiation, Lander decided to leave the house with his lawyer. Despite the negotiation (it seems that the Italian minister had not signed the extradition), Italian police extradited him to Spanish state.

Day of Nafarroa: Baigorri

Day of Nafarroa in Baigorri

Thousands of people participated in the day of Nafarroa in Baigorri (Behe Nafarroa north basque country). Music, dances, people's sports and different events were celebrated in Baigorri. People of different ages and of all basque country approached to Baigorri. The day was organized by the basque association "Basaizea", it was celebrated as a cultural event and as a vindication of Basque identity. According to the member of Basaizea, Mikel, there are not borders between south and north basque country. 

1.200 of people participated in the official meal (more people carried their own meal or in pubs). On the morning, the dance groups of Iruña (Nafarroa south basque country), Baigorri and Beasain (Gipuzkoa north basque country) made their demo. On the afternoon, the dance groups of Lizarra (Nafarroa), Otsagabia (Nafarroa) and  Urretxu (Gipuzkoa). There were music groups of Iruña, Sakana (Nafarroa), Tutera (Nafarroa), Baztan (Nafarroa) and Leitza (Nafarroa). There were also traditional carnival groups of all basque country, with basque mythological creatures: Mari, Tartalo, Basajaun etc.