Thousands of people in Baiona and Bilbao in recent years who have been on the streets in defence of the rights of Basque political prisoners have had to be mobilized differently this year for the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the organizers have decided to carry out a decentralised mobilisation in which thousands of people have taken to the streets. By territory, in Navarre 78 calls have been made, in Bizkaia 74, in Gipuzkoa 69, in Araba 17 and in Baiona the joint mobilization of Zuberoa, Nafarroa Beherea and Lapurdi has been carried out.

Baiona's, the biggest mobilization.

As for Ipar Euskal Herria, Bake Bidea and the Artisans of Peace made a single appointment in Baiona. Arriving from Zuberoa, Nafarroa Beherea and Lapurdi, 2,000 people met on both sides of the Errobi River, covering the border between Baiona Tttipia and Baiona Handia with shouts of “Basque prisoners at home” and forming a human chain.

Ten years after the Declaration of Aiete, Anais Funosas and Mixel Berhokoirigoin of Bake Bidea reaffirmed at the final conference the need and demand to give impetus to the peace process: “The news of the last day has once again made us understand that the ray of hope that was awakened yesterday with the conditional release of Xistor Haramburu, was immediately extinguished with the Mikel Barrios prison order. We do not accept this situation ‘between the two’, we do not accept to play with our veins, we do not accept. We do not accept further measures against the peace process. Let's not go back, let's not a moment. We have to move forward!”

On behalf of the mobilization, which by popular vote was endorsed by the Commonwealth of Iparralde by a large majority, the mayors of Donibane Lohizune and Aiziritz also took the floor to denounce the “indifference” of the French Government and demand “solution” to the situation of political prisoners. About 150 people from Lapurdi, Baja Navarra and Zuberoa joined the human chain of Baiona.

237 villages in Hego Euskal Herria

Iñaki Goirizelaia and Amaia Goirigolzarri, former rector of the UPV/EHU, read in the chronicle of Berria the claim of six points: the repatriation of Basque prisoners, the end of the punishment added to relatives, allow the progression of grade to all prisoners, the return home of severely ill and elderly prisoners, respect for the right to live in Spain.

In a note sent to the press, Sare wanted to stress, in addition to offering the data, that "we are facing times of hope". Something moves. They have approached some prisoners, but very slowly, and few have brought them to the Basque Country."

Here are some photos and videos.