Catalan Solidarity Action

derry | rights and freedoms | news report Wednesday April 25, 2007 16:02 by Catalan Solidarity - Catalan Solidarity: Ireland Committee catalansolidarity at hotmail dot com

Members of the Catalan Solidarity:Ireland Committee gathered at ‘Free Derry Corner’ in Derry’s Bogside as part of a day of international solidarity action in conjunction with widespread protests and demonstrations throughout the Catalan Countries.

This year mark’s the 300th anniversary of the occupation of the Catalan Countries by the Spanish forces of occupation following the battle of Almansa in 1707.

During today’s solidarity action the Catalan flag (Estelada) was raised on Free Derry Wall as a symbolic gesture of solidarity to the Catalan people as part the ‘300 years of occupation- 300 years of resistance’ campaign.

As part of the event protesters wore white masks on which the Spanish Flag was placed over their mouths, symbolizing the continual denial of the rights such as self-determination and sovereignty of the Catalan people as a nation.

Following the event at Free Derry Corner protesters distributed information leaflets in Derry's city centre.

300 Years of Resistance!

Despite heavy rain and strong winds, a spokesperson for the Catalan Solidarity:Ireland Committee thanked those “taking part in today’s action and the solidarity received from the people of Derry”.

“Today’s date cannot be easily forgotten as both the national and social oppression by the Spanish State over the Catalan Countries still continues. Likewise, we can not forget one part of our country, Northern Catalonia, which has been occupied for more than 300 years by the French State.

“In spite of the historical significance of 2007 our country’s occupation was not completed until 1715 when Mallorca fell. The Catalan Countries’ occupation lasted so long due to the wave of popular resistance.

“We view today’s symbolic action in Derry as an important gesture in international solidarity and we would like to thank everyone for taking part in today’s action and the solidarity received from the people of Derry. The Catalan people are fully aware of the enormous strength and courage that the people of Derry and the Bogside in particular in facing down oppression.

”For the Catalan people, we find evidence of that resistance in the continuation to date of the independentist movement which, in spite of years of torture, war, dictatorship, imprisonment and exile, has stood firmly against Spanish occupation challenging the economical and socio-political order established upon the Catalan people.

“This is why we celebrate the ‘300 years of occupation- 300 years of resistance’ campaign. We invite all organisations to keep on defending our language and our culture from Spanish bullying impositions. “

Catalan Solidarity Ireland Committee