On Saturday morning, four activists climbed to the walls of the military headquarters of Juan de Garay Street in Bilbao and chained themselves in it, within the action of the platform for the tax objection. In a banner reading "EUR 43bn military spending", the second indicated that the money spent on a tank is equivalent to the spending of six schools.

The action of disobedience was aimed at launching a campaign of tax objection this year, while denouncing the "massive waste" of money that governments make with military spending. Last year the Spanish Government pointed out the amount earmarked for military spending – EUR 43bn – and called on the public to make a tax impediment. With the tax drawback, because the individual can prevent some of his taxes from being used for military spending.

One of the activists explained in statements to Casa Ecuador what exactly the tax objection is: "The refusal to cooperate with the State in financing the war is a fiscal drawback. This is a nonviolent action that starts from our taxes based on deviation, and is oriented towards popular initiatives to create a more just society".

Are they chained? at the door of the military government? in #Bilbao to start the #Obmilitary Fiscal Spending Campaign #Fiscal?“Disobey and disarm your taxes”? @MOCBILBAO @oeebizkaia @ekologistak pic.twitter.com/CnbGTsSJh7

— Ecuador Etxea (@EcuadorEtxea) April 2, 2022

In other words, the tax drawback would be the intervention in taxes which, by means of the income tax return, could be used for purposes that we do not think are fair, such as military spending, the APR, bank bailouts, etc., and channelled to initiatives that we consider appropriate. More information can be found on the website Eragozpenfiskala.org.

The campaign has been launched at the CAV level. Last year, in this area, almost 200 citizens made the fiscal disadvantage, according to the Hiru Erregeen mahaia platform. "Environmental, human rights and media initiatives were some of the tax targets, totalling €17,900." In view of this year’s declaration of failure, they have announced that they will open offices in Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz and Donostia-San Sebastián to help citizens make a tax impediment. The appointment is prior and free.

20 collectives behind the action

The four members who made the Saturday action acted on behalf of 20 collectives from Bizkaia. The citizen can allocate some of his taxes to one of them through tax objection.

These groups are as follows: Argyan, Armiarma, Housing Union AZET, BATU Sarea, CNT Bilbao, Ekologistak Martxan, Galdakao Elkarlaguntza Sarea, ESK, Beyond Finance, Irola Irratia, ISF Euskadi, Muhertzmunak