Latest News & Updates

Basque International Day of Solidarity Protest in Dublin

16/02/10

On Saturday, February 13th, more than a dozen éirígí activists attended a picket in Dublin in solidarity with the Basque struggle for Independence. The O’Connell Street protest was organised by the Dublin Basque Solidarity Committee.

Up to 60 people, turned out to show their ongoing support to the Basque people, at a time when the Basques are facing a fierce onslaught from both the French and Spanish states. The protesters included a sizable numbers of Basques currently living in Ireland, who held a huge Basque flag which carried the message:

‘SPANISH AND FRENCH STATE REPRESSION WILL NEVER SILENCE BASQUE EXPRESSION’

The event, which lasted well over an hour, concluded with a short speech from Diarmuid Breathnach, Chairperson of the Dublin Basque Solidarity Committee.

Diarmuid thanked supporters for attending and spoke of the importance of international solidarity actions with the Basque country, particularly as Spain currently holds the presidency of the EU. The protest came to a close with the singing of a Basque anthem, by members of the Basque community who were present.

Speaking after the protest, éirígí spokesperson, Daithí Mac An Mháistír said, “Today’s protest is important as it shows the people of the Basque country that they have many friends and comrades here in Ireland, who will stand in solidarity with them against their oppressors. Today’s protest is also important as it brings the message home to the people of Dublin, that the so-called democratic states of France and Spain are guilty of the most appalling human rights abuses in the Basque country.

“éirígí supports the demands of the Basque Country for independence, and for our part, we will continue to do what we can in Ireland to highlight the repressive actions of the French and Spanish States.”

The protest was part of the Askapena week of international solidairty with the Basque Country, which included events around Ireland. In Belfast, a well-attended protest was held on the Falls Road, a mural in support of Basque political prisoners was unveiled at the Andersonstown Barracks site and a fund-raising dinner for the prisoners took place in the Cultúrlann Irish language centre

Print-friendly version