"We need an energy chute, have a good time and enjoy together"
- At the end of March it was presented that we should not be taken away from the dance! The people dancing will never die through a video broadcast on the networks. They criticised the response of governments and administrations to the crisis we are experiencing and praised that of the citizens’ movements. Since then, the members of the initiative have worked on the preparation of the meeting on 5 June. They want Saturday to be a day of mobilisation, of vindication and of enjoyment for everyone. Look at Lapitz and Eneko Bermejo, members of the initiative, have replied in writing to the ARGIA questions.
Don't let us dance! The people dancing will never die, and who are driving it?
It is a dynamic that was born in the street, between concentrations, and that arose after sharing a reflection between neighbors and friends of different social movements. Faced with the widespread sense of frustration and sadness, we felt the need to do something, which would be a chute of energy, a time to enjoy together, and we got started with that idea. It is true that over time and to the extent that we have been sharing with people, the approach itself has been changing and giving shape. But in these months we have built the dynamic on clear ideas: on the one hand, to bring value to the work carried out by the popular movement in this last year; on the other hand, to denounce the management that has been done by the different governments; and, finally, to offer the opportunity to enjoy together.
They say that governments and administrations have acted as “irresponsibility” towards COVID-19. Why, what?
It has become clear what their priority is, they have put capital at the centre, putting lives aside. We all have in our heads buses or meters full of staff, when kids couldn't play in parks. The priority was for factory production to be maintained until Mercedes workers decided to leave their jobs. They have given a lot of applause, but little money to get health through. It is the initiative of the workers and the citizens that has saved us as a society of this pandemic. In addition, the new measures have been implemented through prohibitions and impositions, with few explanations and without pedagogy.
Yours is an initiative at the level of Vitoria. How do you particularly appreciate the response that the City of Vitoria-Gasteiz and Mayor Gorka Uraran are giving to this crisis?
In general, the municipal government of Uraran has reproduced the attitude of the Basque Government and the State, but we would like to highlight the eviction of Olarizu, the exorbitant fines and police persecution in application of the Moorish law, or the identifications given in the gaztetxe, for example. The City Council has taken advantage of this crisis situation to develop its neoliberal policies.
Faced with the “irresponsibility” of the rulers, you have applauded the attitudes and initiatives of the citizens: networks of care, initiatives of the workers or of the hospitality, mobilizations... What subjects can be extracted from them for the future?
When we respond collectively, we're stronger and we have more resources to deal with the problems. Ask a Tubacex worker how he felt after receiving the support of the people of Aiaraldea. The pandemic has made it clearer than ever what the interests of heteropatriarchal capitalism are, and even if we improve the health situation, we will still be plunged into a systemic crisis. Therefore, it is essential to put at the center the care, self-management, collaboration...
You say that the experiences of the last year have been hard and that the situation is serious, but you have given a touch of dance and celebration to the call of 5 June. Why?
We have experienced a very serious situation, society in general has had a very bad time and terrible events have happened. We want to acknowledge that suffering and acknowledge the efforts we have made by the citizens to face it. But in a moment of sadness and frustration, we think it's time to start turning that around. We need a chute of energy, have a good time and enjoy it together.
You have come to the citizenship of the movement to participate on 5 June. What have you proposed to them and what have you received?
First of all, we met with different actors and movements to explain the same dynamic and to gather their opinion. In addition, we invite you to join the dynamic and to make known your claim, offering space and time for the day itself to paint itself with color and claims. In general, the initiative has been well received, but it is true that this situation affects in many ways, and that is why we have received different answers.
What programme have you prepared for 5 June?
In the morning, it will be the turn of the demands of the citizens' movements. Each agent has organized a meeting point in a plaza. Most will be 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. At 13.00, a general mobilization will begin from the Plaza de San Antón in which all these demands will converge, and although it will be in the form of a demonstration, we have prepared some surprises to have a good time and enjoy it. We will fill the day with demands, dances, music and games, always taking into account security measures.
After June 5, let us not take away the dance! Will the dwelling people never die?
To continue working and fighting in the different sectors and expressions of the popular movement is one of the objectives of this dynamic.
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