Does time come? PRESIDENT. — The next item is the joint debate on the following motions for resolutions: Some 76,000 people have met in Bilbao and 9,000 in Baiona under the motto Orain Presoak, according to the organizers in a statement. In 2016, two mobilizations were also held, and in this edition nearly 71,000 people were counted: About 63,000 in Bilbao and 8,000 in Baiona.

The demonstrations began at the same time, almost at 17:30 hours. They have called for compliance with the rights of Basque prisoners and for the elimination of the policy of dispersion. However, the demonstration in Bilbao contrasted with that in June last year, when Pedro Sánchez (PSOE) presented himself to the Presidency of the Government at a hearing in which he advocated a change in prison policy. However, the ray of hope that took place at the time has not been continuous: movements have been scarce. On Saturday, therefore, they asked in Bilbao for the floor to be complied with and start taking steps.

Joseba Azkarraga, a member of the Network, asked the Spanish Government to “listen”: “Do not forget that there is an important part of society here that has much to say and that it only wants to resolve a conflict that has lasted for decades.” Former Basque prey Sara Majarenas has stated that this is the time to "unleash" the prisoners' knot.

From the hand of Dani Blanco, you can see the photos of the demonstration in Bilbao.

On the other hand, at 20:00 hours a demonstration was held in favour of the total amnesty called by the Pro Amnesty and Anti-Repression Movement from the Plaza de los Hermanos Etxebarrieta de Bilbao.

In Baiona, great political representation

Some 9,000 people have met in Baiona to ask the French Government to take steps in this direction. The demonstration was supported by 65% of the mayors of the municipalities of Ipar Euskal Herria. In January 2018, the French State announced a change in prison policy, i.e. a break with dispersion. However, the President of the Commonwealth of Iparralde, Jean-René Etchegaray, has stated that in recent months the process is "slow".

For their part, Socialist Nicole Belloubet and right-wing Senator Max Brisson have agreed that there are "obstacles" in the issue of eta prisoners. Brisson expressed: “There are obstacles to moving forward; we need to be renewed and strengthened to move forward on the issue of Basque prisoners.”

Call to Grande-Marlaska

The day after the demonstration, the Sare Citizens' Network spoke to the media. “Thousands upon thousands of people have said on their behalf that they are not prepared to continue to violate their rights,” said the members of the platform Arantza Aldezabal and Joseba Azkarraga. In this regard, they have reported that Sare will request a meeting with the Spanish Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska. The President of the Spanish Government wants to call on Sanchez to put an end to the emergency measures he applies to Basque prisoners.

The delegation of Ipar Euskal Herria had contact with the French Government last year, when it initiated a change in prison policy. Therefore, Sare sees "the need" to meet with the Government of Spain to seek an agreement. To this end, they intend to highlight the experience of the Iparralde delegation and have announced that it will be agreed with the delegation of Ipar Euskal Herria: “We are convinced that we are going to find new ways of working.”

The Sare citizen network has described as "very positive" that on Saturday thousands of people have mobilized together in Ipar and Hego Euskal Herria. Aldezabal explained that a broad representation of Basque society was involved, and that the demand was "clear": “That governments do not delay any further the change of this unjust and senseless prison policy that only generates suffering.”