- The anti-militarist initiative Ager Vasconum has been launched in collaboration with twelve youth associations from Tafalla and Ribera Alta. They claim a demilitarized and environmentally friendly Bardena.
Twelve youth associations have participated in the creation of the initiative: Festival in Tudela! Caparrotsuko Gazte Asanblada, Tafallako Gazteak, Erriberri Oihua, Azkoiengo Gazteria, Atzsu (San Adrian, Azagra, Andosilla and Cárcar juveniles), Marcilla, Zarrakaztelu and Figarolgo, Gazte Asanblada de Artajona.
This Saturday afternoon a press conference was held at the chapel of Nuestra Señora del Yugo, at the viewpoint of the Bardenas, to present the anti-militarist initiative Ager Vasconum. They have called for the youth march by the Bardenas Information Centre on 26 June at 11:00, under the slogan "Bardenas for the people - Let them go to their planet".
Military manoeuvres have been carried out in the Bardenas Biosphere Reserve for 70 years. The noise of military bombs and aircraft is common. For her part, the Minister of Defense of the Government of Spain, Margarita Robles, denied them in Congress.
The Naiz medium has gathered the words of the young people who have joined: "We are young people from the Ribera and the Middle Zone, from the towns of the Sierra de Navarra and we will fight hard against this shooting range, as we fight against our land and against simple people and against everything that attacks the workers".
The young people of the Ribera have stated that the location of the polygon in the Biosphere Reserve, in the Bardenas, is "a clear attack on the ecology", as well as the population living in its surroundings, "besides a direct affection to our vegetation and fauna, there is a high risk of contagion due to the materials used in the military maneuvers".