Thousands of people tribute 2 Basque political prisioners

by hmmmm Mon Mar 06, 2006 13:27

He's the one squeezed up against the police shield. He's also holding the banner in the other photos.
He's more than just a "basque person". He's one of the leaders of the political wing of ETA and a former deputy to the Basque parliament for HB. Thats why he's stuck with his nose against the shield.
It is very well noted that generally only very extraordinary people get to stand on the centre of the street like that. Its a symbolic photo-op.
Joseba is the man who announced the illegalised party would hold a conference in Barakaldo (Vizcaja) on the 21st of January. He also argued disingenously that the inclusion of the "snake twining round the staff" symbol on the poster publicising that meeting, was not as most people presumed the same "snake twining round the staff" which ETA use, but instead the symbol of the World Health Organisation. No-one believed him.
http://www.euskalherria.indymedia.org/es/2006/01/24552....shtml
The conference was cancelled in the end, and didn't happen that weekend, and the leader of HB/ETA Ortegi saw charges for insulting the king dropped against him. That conference was thought by some observers to be bringing people closer to one of the elements of conflict resolution they want - "A ceasefire / Cessation of armed struggle" by ETA. other elements include "prisoner issues".

In Kevin Toolis's "Rebel Hearts : Journeys Within the IRA's Soul" one chapter is devoted to an incident in derry, when McGuinness and the author were talking about "this and that" in the offices. They left to the car just as a small patrol of British soldiers passed by. The corporal couldn't believe his luck to be facing Martin Mc G at his car. "open the boot up please Martin". Kevin Toolis wrote how McG said something to the effect of "fuck off" and closed the door, and then spent half an hour looking through the fish eye lens cursing the british soldiers on the other side, who eventually got bored and wandered off. Toolis dwellt a while on the flimsy door which seperated "two military organisations".

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Javier Elzo and Ander Iturriotz are trained sociologists. By profession university lecturers: Elzo at Deusto and Iturriotz at the EHU. They engaged in an exercise to examine Basque society today and to envisage its future. They were interviewed recently by the pro-independence news site Berria.
Iturriotz was issued with a death threat by ETA before the interview. In the interview they talk about the rivalry that once existed between their two little towns. & the hope for a proper and inclusive end to Terror, Terrorism and being Terrorised which ought be the birthright of every normal Basque person. The sort who don't have the handle with care profile which enables them to stick the nose up against a patrols' glass shields.

interview in english @ link
http://www.berria.info/english/ikusi.php?id=2147

by hmmmmmmmmmm Mon Mar 06, 2006 21:44

in fact there are many more. But often or simplicity's sake we try and see just 2 sides. Just like a piece of paper which we used hold to learn about the world around us. Exactly like the screen we look at to read our indymedia screen. I agree with the last comment, because I wrote it, and being consistent will not change my mind a few hours or even years later. I might not agree with the opinion of whomever placed the article. I might not agree with the opinions of those in the photographs. Its really easy to just see two sides. But peace like its supposed opposite war, is not easy. I believe we can never stop wanting to ask all sides who continue conflict "to stop". So that the other songs in the background get heard. Everyone will have a lot to learn when listening to each other comes.
When we get hear over the "pop" & "boom"..,

there are no photos of the other side. Pop! Boom! (they do telephone warnings to each other)

by Réabhloid Tue Mar 07, 2006 12:01

Well done JO TA KE.

"hmmmmm..." you smell cop from miles away!!

Let's keep high the solidarity flag with Basque struggle for freedom, dignity and social justice!!