Dublin - Day Of Solidarity With Iñaki De Juana

dublin | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Monday February 19, 2007 01:46

by KJ - Irish Basque Committees

24 Hour fast and Protests

On Saturday the 17th February, members of the Irish Basque Committees organised two events in Dublin highlighting the plight of Basque hunger striker Iñaki De Juana Chaos. Iñaki should have been freed on October 25, 2004 but was instead sentenced to an extra 12 years and 7 months in prison for writing two newspaper articles. He has now suffered 103 consecutive days without accepting food. Although his sentence has since been reduced, he is determined to maintain his fast until he receives justice and is freed.

GPO Protest

Firstly, a successful protest was held at 12 o’clock outside the GPO where information leaflets were distributed for over an hour. Many passers-by stopped to ask questions and sign a petition asking the Spanish government to engage in meaningful dialogue and negotiations to advance the peace process. Everyone in the vicinity was also entertained by the enthusiastic playing of a traditional Basque instrument, the Txalaparta.

At 2pm a 24-hour solidarity fast began at the side of the Bank of Ireland, College Green. Supporters gathered around a banner reading “INAKI DE JUANA, HUNGERING FOR JUSTICE, FREE HIM NOW!” and more information was given out. At 3pm the protest moved to the front of the bank where placards were displayed and a table was set up to collect more signatures. Feedback from the public was generally very positive with many sincere expressions of support. Many young Spanish people also conveyed deep concern about the current political situation. From 6 o’clock candles were lit and a vigil commenced.

At 8pm the demonstration moved to the Spanish Embassy in Ballsbridge where flags and banners were displayed and the fast continued. Seven people participated in the fast itself and were supported by others who visited throughout the night. In the morning there were many gestures of support from inside passing cars and buses, as well as from pedestrian traffic. From mid-day, extra supporters came along to witness the final stages of the fast and to round off a successful series of events.

In total, 3,000 leaflets were distributed and hundreds of signatures collected.

Side Of The Bank