- On June 2, a demonstration against the Basque language was called. Among the callers are blogger Patxi Mendiburu and Fernando Aranguren of the cultural association Doble12, who gave reasons for calling the demonstration on Wednesday in a press conference. The demonstration has been called “against the imposition” of the current linguistic policy of the Government of Navarre; and, they say, “it is not a mobilization against the Basque language”.
Mendiburu and Aranguren consider that the current language policy “discriminates” against non-Basque speakers: “We all know what has happened to the children’s schools and educational oppositions in Pamplona. The current government forces private companies to develop a Basque language plan if they want to work with the government itself.”
They also oppose the “imposition” of the D models of education: “You set the D model and you get the disabled, you get rid of the immigrants and you just stay cool. And paid well.”
On the other hand, the callers of the demonstration have also defined the area in which the Basque language must be located. In the countryside, yes, but not in the offices: “If you are a veterinarian and you have to go to the farms of Saldias, of course you have to know Basque. But asking for Basque to work in an office of the Government of Navarre in Tafalla is terrible.”
Although they call the current education policy discriminatory, they have demanded that Basque speakers reduce their opportunities, saying that in the case of education “if a person takes out a place in Basque”, he cannot later change to Spanish. “If you’re on a career path, you’re going to have to go that way.”