Press release nº 7 (2003/06/17) 2º resistance day in Itoiz

The popular mass meeting that was going to take place at seven has started at 18,30 h. and there it has been decided to carry out three direct, public and non-violent actions to protest against everything is going on these days in Itoiz:

· Three people chained up themselves into the flagpoles of court in Aoiz.They have unfolded a banner with the slogan S.O.S. ITOITZ.

Meanwhile, a big graffiti was being painting on the wall with the slogan ITOITZETIK EZ DIRA PASAKO (They won´t pass from Itoiz).

· Six other people chained themselves up on the council balcony unfolding a banner with the slogan S.O.S. ITOITZ.

Meanwhile 60 people gathered in the street supporting them and shouting ITOITZETIK EZ DIRA PASAKO.

Two other people chained themselves up on top of a crane of around 25 metres that was in a nearby building site and unfolded a big banner with the slogan ITOITZ BIZIRIK.(Itoiz alive)

The Aoiz Town council and the Court are in the same square so 70-80 members of the Civil Guard riot police have burst into the place around 18,50h. from different streets, in land rovers as well as in special vans. There were very tense moments when it seemed they were going to charge. As a result, all the people have dispersed around several streets and the town of Aoiz has been occupied by a large amount of riot police. They have cut the traffic in the main street of the town and didn´t let anybody get near the square. The people were inside different bars without being able to get out.

One of the bars has been completely surrounded by the police and they were about to burst in. As a result, the owners have decided to close it.

Around 19,40 h. the 6 people chained in the balcony of the council have been arrested by the Civil Guard. The firemen with a crane-truck cut the chains of the people who were chained in the flagpoles and took them down, being arrested.

Afterwards,150 people have gathered with the intention of starting a demonstration but a lot of police has appeared charging against the people there, who had to disperse.

It´s not possible to gather in Aoiz and they are charging indiscriminately.

Our group wants to denounce energically the serious situation created by the police occupation of Aoiz and the constant and brutal charges throughout all the evening.

Summary of the repression on the second day of resistance:

Itoiz:

- Out the eight people who have been "unanchored" out of the walls, 7 have been released and the other one has been arrested as he did´t have his identity card.

Aoiz:

- In Aoiz there is a lot of confussion about the exact number of the people arrested. We´ve been able to confirm that eight people out of the eleven who have taken part in the three actions, have been arrested. Other eight people have been arrested in the police charges.

- The total number of people arrested today is at least 23 people.

WE´LL CONTINUE GIVING INFORMATION

S.O.S ITOIZ