nationalists after the implementation of the Parties Law and also affecting Left groups in general in Spain, in what is seen as the consolidation of Francoist ideology and fascism. The day chosen for this demo couldn’t be more significant, as the 20th November is the day chosen by Francoists and Fascists to remember the former dictator on the anniversary of his death. In this case, the message was quite different.

The police wasn’t informed it about the demo, however they were present in the site before it started according to them because they had been told the demo started one hour before, at 11 am. They were told to check their information sources. As well as an anti-riot van, the police had deployed a red-van of armed police used in extreme cases. The police had fenced up 3 m² of pavement to enclose the protesters. They kept taking photos of the 50 people concentrated outside the embassy to provoke and intimidate.

The embassy was closed though a window was opened and someone inside kept taking photos or filming the demo. Even the Spanish flag had been removed from the front pole. We have to say that the demo was a little success as in many cases people find it difficult to protest outside the embassy as they are very exposed and because of the latest repression and broad conception of ‘terrorism’. The demo also managed to bring together many people who fears and has suffered in one or other way the raise and consolidation of Spanish fascism in the Basque Country and in the rest of the state. Among them the Iñigo Makazaga campaign and the sister of Catalonian Zigor Larredonda who was framed up after a media and police campaign against him. Among the demonstrators there were British, Irish, Basques, Catalonians, Castillian, Cantabrians, Madridans, Andalucians, Extremadurans, Greek, etc.

The banners also reflected that variety. The main one was one done for that occasion with the slogan ‘Against Fascist Spain’. There were also flags for the repatriation of Basque prisoners back to the Basque Country and from the Andalucian SOC- union for part-time rural workers specially affected by the latest PP law on work and unemployment, ‘decretazo’. There was also a banner from the Basque Campaign (www.geocities.com/basquecampaign) who campaign among other things,for the Basque citizen Iñigo Makazaga held in Belmarsh prison (London) since 25th April 2001 and awaiting (awaiting?!?!?) extradition. Another poster remembered the Catalonians held in prison acussed of collaboration (broad concept……..) with ETA. Some of them have been in prison for one year without been even sentenced! Also a huge banner from the Irish Republican Wolfe Tone Association. As one of the coppers watching the group pointed out, the situation in the Basque Country in terms of repression is very similar to the one in Northern Ireland and that’s why that long identification between both movements.

call text:  http://uk.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=46501&group=webcast

Photos:  http://uk.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=46785&group=webcast