Egunkaria : Fifth Anniversary

Reporters Sans Frotiers will never ever mention this fifth anniversary of Spain's attack against freedom of speech and against Euskara, the Basque language. Not a word about the torture suffered by members of the staff.

But five years elapsed since Madrid ordered to shut down Egunkaria, the only newspaper that was published entirely in Euskara. It was not the first time the Spanish repressive machinery attacked a Basque media outlet, it wouldn't be the last one.

Here you have the note by EITb regarding this issue:

Politics

Court order

Fifth anniversary of closure of Basque daily Egunkaria

02/20/2008

Today marks the fifth anniversary since the Spanish Civil Guard shut down the Basque daily Egunkaria. Twelve defendants are still waiting for a trial although the Prosecutor has not submitted any accusation.



Today, February 20, marks the fifth anniversary since the Spanish Civil Guard entered the premises of the Basque newspaper and closed off the building, following a ruling by the Spanish judge Juan del Olmo.

Judge Juan del Olmo ordered to shut down the Basque-language daily Euskaldunon Egunkaria on February 20, 2003. Furthermore, ten people were arrested within the same operation charged with illegal association with the armed band ETA: Xabier Alegria, Txema Auzmendi, Xabier Oleaga, Martxelo Otamendi, Joan Mari Torrealdai, Iñaki Uria, Pello Zubiria, Inma Gomila, Luis Goia and Fermin Lazkano.

After eight days held incommunicado, Gomila, Lazkano, Otamendi and Goia were released and the judge ordered the imprisonment of the other six. Throughout these five years these six have been released paying their respective bails and are awaiting trial.

Several political representatives of Basque parties PNV, EA, EB-Berdeak and Aralar and trade unions ELA, LAB and CCOO, members of the Royal Academy of the Basque language, writers, singers, poets and football players among others supported those accused over Egunkaria case and they pointed out that not only the newspaper is being criminalized but everything linked to the Basque language itself.

Moreover, they organized a rally on February 12, in support of “the critical conscience of the Basque society”.

To mark this sad anniversary, the defendants and some workers of the newspaper itself will participate in a rally in the Basque town of Andoain.

The trial

Five years later, the trial has not been celebrated yet. The judge said the newspaper was linked to the Basque armed group ETA in order to ban it, but according to the Public Prosecutor of the Spanish High Court that was not true.

The Public Prosecutor’s office did not summit any accusation but it seems unavoidable that the trial must be celebrated.

If found guilty, the accused could face 300 years prison sentence.

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Five Years Without Egunkaria

Remember, what you are about to read are the consequences of actions taken by a government that is considered to be a democracy.

More so, you will not read anything about Egunkaria in this year's RSF report on freedom of press.

This not comes to us thanks to EITB:

Politics

5 years without “Egunkaria”

Basque figures say “the Basque language is being criminalized”

02/12/2008

Several Basque figures reminded the Basque society the tragic anniversary of the banning of the Basque newspaper Euskaldunon Egunkaria. They have organized a rally in Andoain February 20 to protest against it.

Several political representatives of Basque parties PNV, EA, EB-Berdeak and Aralar and trade unions ELA, LAB and CCOO, members of the Royal Academy of the Basque language, writers, singers, poets and football players among others support those accused over Egunkaria case and they pointed out that not only the newspaper is being criminalized but everything linked to the Basque language itself.

Moreover, they made an appeal to attend a rally in support of “the critical conscience of the Basque society”.

They said that the Constitution, the statutes and the public administrations are in charge of the Basque language and the Basque culture but some social organizations “manipulate everything and they linked them to the Basque armed group ETA”.

Tragic anniversary

February 20 marks the 5th anniversary since the Spanish Civil Guard banned the Basque newspaper Euskaldunon Egunkaria, following the ruling by the Spanish judge Juan del Olmo.

The group supporting the accused over Egunkaria case and the newspaper itself reminded everybody that was a fateful day and they presented a report to make an appeal to demonstrate against this case so that it is not forgotten.

The rally is going to be in the Basque town of Andoain February 20, to mark the 5th anniversary of the banning.

The trial

Five years later, the trial has not been celebrated yet. The judge said the newspaper was linked to the Basque armed group ETA in order to ban it, but according to the Public Prosecutor of the Spanish High Court that was not true.

The Public Prosecutor’s office did not summit any accusation but it seems unavoidable that the trial must be celebrated.

If found guilty, the 12 accused could face 300 years prison sentence.

And lets not forget that Martxelo Otamendi and a number of those arrested on that infamous date were tortured during the time they were held incommunicado.

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Milakabilaka Rally

This note comes to us thanks to EITb:

Politics

"Dialogue, respect and peace"

Thousands rally in Bilbao Milakabilaka rally

02/03/2007

Prominent members of several fields of the Basque society and political parties attended a silent rally for peace called by an association in favour of peace and dialogue in the Basque Country.

Thousands of people attended a silent rally in the Basque city of Bilbao calling for dialogue, respect and peace in the Basque Country. People attending the rally included several prominent members of several fields of the Basque society such as writers Joan Mari Irigoien and Hasier Etxeberria, former Athletic Club Bilbao goalkeeper Jose Angel Iribar, representatives from the nationalist political parties EHAK, Batasuna, EA and Aralar and members of the trade unions ELA and LAB.

The protestors assembled at the well-known Guggenheim museum and marched until the area known as Paseo de Uribitarte. Some boats followed the protestors along the river including one of them led by the Basque skipper Jose Luis Korta.

The rally was called by Milakabilaka, an association in favour of peace and dialogue in the Basque Country. A bus will visit all the Basque cities and towns taking photographs of all the people who want to join Milakabilaka.

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Supporting the Basque Political Prisoners

There is no way around it, Spain's repressive measures must come to an end.

Today, thousands marched to show their support towards the collective of Basque political prisoners in a demonstration called by the Ibaeta Forum, here is the note according to EITb:

IBAETA FORUM

Mass demonstration in favour of Basque prisoners in Donostia

10/07/2006

Thousands of people have demonstrated in Donostia-San Sebastian in favour of Basque prisoners. Many leaders of banned Batasuna, leftist Aralar and Basque trade unions LAB and ELA have attended the rally summoned by the Ibaeta Forum.

The demonstration has begun at 05:00 pm at the tunnel of the Antiguo neighbourhood. The protest was opened by a banner demanding "Euskal presoak Euskal Herrira. Dagokien eskubide guztiek jabe" (Basque Prisoners to the Basque Country. In Control of all Their Rights), which was carried among others by secretary general of Basque trade union ELA Jose Elorrieta; Batasuna leaders Joseba Permach, Pernando Barrena and Joseba Alvarez; secretary general of Basque trade union LAB Rafa Diez; and leader of leftist Aralar Mikel Basabe. Juan Mari Olano, spokesman of political prisoner and exile support organisation Askatasuna; and lawyer Iñigo Iruin have also taken part at the event.

Relatives of Basque prisoners were at the head of the rally carrying photos of the inmates while the banner followed them. The attendants have chanted several slogans, such as "De Juana askatu" (Release De Juana), "Presoak Etxera" (Bring Prisoners Home), "Pakerik ez amnistiarik gabe" (No Peace without Amnesty) and "Independentzia" (Independence). A photo of Basque prisoner De Juana Chaos recalled his 62 days on hunger strike. Signatures to request his release have been collected at the event.

At the end of the rally, the spokesman of the Basque prisoners’ platform Ibaeta Forum has read a communiqué in Boulevard Street, demanding Spanish and French governments to move Basque prisoners to Basque country jails and to release “six ill prisoners and other 126 that have already served sentence”.

Batasuna

Leader of Batasuna Jone Goirizelaia has requested Spain’s government to end with its policy regarding ETA prisoners, because it is “unacceptable, even more when we are dealing with a peace process”.

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Today at EITb

Some Basque politics, some Basque history and culture, thanks to EITb:

Hard life of Basque shepherds in the New World

Basque shepherds earned thirty dollars a month plus room and board. This was substantially more than their potential wages in the Basque Country, but they paid a high personal cost to earn these wages. Each herder had the responsibility of caring for several hundred sheep, with only a dog to help him.

There were considerable risks involved. The herder had to account for lost sheep to his employer, a responsibility made especially difficult due to the threat of predators and hostile cattle ranchers. But perhaps the worst aspect of the Basque sheepherder's work was loneliness. The herding cycle required him to be alone for long periods of time.

Basque women announce they are going to be "voices for peace".

Women from every Basque party except the right-wing Spanish PP and French party and women from Basque trade unions presented today a manifesto in order to ask for "democratic guarantees". This is what the new association called "Ahotsak" said today. Gemma Zabaleta (PSE/EE), Gemma González de Txabarri (PNV), Nekane Erauskin (EHAK), Nekane Altzelai (EA), Kontxi Bilbao (EB) or Aintzane Ezenarro (Aralar) are some of the congresswomen went today to the presentation of the previously mentioned group. Moreover, members of Basque political parties as Jone Goirizelaia and Ainara Armendariz (Batasuna), Begoña Errazti (EA), and some members of ELA, LAB and UGT trade unions also took part on the proposal.

The group presented a peace manifesto in which their members promise to be "voices for peace" and promote peace process. They also claim for Basque's right to decide even if a political-judicial change is required.

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Encouraging Basque

Today at Berria English:

ELA and LAB unions launch campaign to encourage Basque in companies

A clause calling for “practical steps” will be added in this year’s collective bargaining

Jakes Goikoetxea – DONOSTIA (San Sebastian)

“It’s high time Basque was introduced into the work sphere and companies”. “The situation of Basque in these areas is on red alert”. These were the messages transmitted yesterday by the ELA and LAB unions. Basque has made progress in many other areas and now it is the turn of work and companies. A campaign has been launched for this purpose: It’s High Time. In Basque, in Companies, a Good Investment . Jabi Garnika, member of the LAB executive committee, stressed: “It is not, however, a campaign for appearing in the photos.” It is based on stark reality. “There is a chasm between the linguistic reality of society and the presence Basque has in the field of work and companies.” Garnika provided figures: less than a hundred out of the 2,600 companies employing over 50 people have implemented a normalisation plan for Basque.

They want Basque to take a qualitative leap forward in the sphere of work and companies and this is why ELA and LAB have announced their commitment to this. Jose Elorrieta, the ELA General Secretary, said: “We are Basque nationalist unions and the normalisation of Basque is one of our concerns. We have supported many initiatives by citizens, but the time has come as a social agent to make active commitments and to encourage the normalisation of Basque,” added Rafa Diez, General Secretary of LAB.

ELA and LAB plan to draw attention to the importance of Basque in their collective bargaining and in their sector agreements: they have made a commitment in this year’s collective bargaining for demands relating to Basque to be included in sector agreements and company agreements. A special clause on Basque will be added calling for “practical steps” in favour of the normalisation of Basque.

“The commitment that may be included in the sector agreements is fairly general,” admitted Leire Txakartegi, member of the ELA executive committee. But she added that the unions wanted to go further: “We want to encourage plans and steps for the normalisation of Basque in companies, so as to gradually change the reality of Basque in these areas.”

ELA and LAB have called on management and workers to adopt an active, effective attitude in favour of the normalisation of Basque, “to turn the woeful situation of Basque in the sphere of work and companies around.” Elorrieta said, “Basque will not achieve normalisation in companies without the commitment or approval of the workers.”

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Women Rights

Today at Berria:

Beyond the elections

Yesterday thousands of men and women denounced the oppression of women and went out into the street to demand measures to solve the situation; the unions drew attention to discrimination against women in the job market.

The women of the Basque Country publicly demanded their rights. Yesterday’s March 8 demo had a decidedly electoral ring, but beyond politics the citizens highlighted the oppression of women.

BAIONA (Bayonne) - Aitor Renteria

“No one is going to give us our future, we are going to build it with our commitment and work”

About 60 women gathered outside the Baiona City Hall at 6 o’clock yesterday evening for the rally called by LAB and the Baionako Emazte Feministak (Feminists of Baiona). They made their way to the San Andres square behind a banner saying “No discrimination. Equal opportunities. Women’s struggle against sexist violence”. Along the way women shouted to denounce the violence and discrimination that they suffer.

BILBO - Iñigo Bilbao

“The Basque Government disregards our problems and demands”

To mark their day women in Bilbo held a demo of the likes that had not been seen in a long time. No bitter irony was spared when they declared they had every reason to be angry. Most of the demonstrators were women. Men were to be seen but some who are standing in Sunday’s elections stood out. One had to be told “men get to the back” because he had moved to the front.

DONOSTIA (San Sebastian) - Agurtzane Solaberrieta

“Women’s jobs are part-time and poorly paid”

About a thousand people went out onto the Donostia Streets yesterday with the slogan “Onwards, so that machismo won’t bury us” in a march organised by the Feminist Women’s Coordinating group of Gipuzkoa (Bilgune Feminista–Feminist Forum, Medeak, Plazandreok, EHGAM, ELA, LAB, ESK, STEE-EILAS, Hemen eta Munduan, KI). The march started out from the Boulevard just after 19.30 hours and there was a charged atmosphere all along the route.

GASTEIZ (Vitoria) - Luis Karlos Garcia

“If the message of equality had been driven home, we wouldn’t have what we have every day”

It was only three degrees when the Gasteiz march got to the Andra Mari Zuri (Virgen Blanca) square for the closing event, but there was plenty of enthusiasm in the march joined by over 800 people.

The main banner said: “We women move the world”. It was followed by many women of many different ages and ways of thinking: Kontxi Bilbao of EB-IU, Matti Iturralde of AuB, Mari Cruz Vicente of CCOO, Arantza Iturbe of Aralar - Zutik, as well as Alicia Suso the head of the Youth Council or Lourdes Oñederra, the EHU-University of the Basque Country lecturer and author, among others, were present.

IRUÑEA (Pamplona) - Edurne Elizondo

“We can build a society in which women will be free”

A mass rally was organised by the “Martxoaren 8 Batzordea” (March 8 Committee) in Iruñea (Pamplona) with the slogan “Women arise, there are many reasons”. Hundreds of women and men endured the freezing temperatures as they went along the city streets chanting slogans against attacks on women and in favour of women’s rights.

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Release Manu Azkarate!

Today at Berria English:

Thousands of people in Donostia call for Manu Azkarate’s release

They denounced the situation of the Basque prisoner as being “indicative of the political vengeance of Madrid and Paris”

Ainhoa Sarasola – DONOSTIA (San Sebastian)

Thousands of people gathered in Donostia yesterday for the demo organised by the Etxerat association to call for the release of the Basque prisoner Manu Azkarate. Azkarate was arrested and taken into custody on January 14 accused of not fulfilling the conditions of his parole granted in 1992 owing to serious illness. Right now he is being detained in the hospital of Donostia as a result of his hunger strike and refusal to take water and his medication while in prison, and the pneumonia he contracted in the hospital.

The march was led by a banner with the slogan “Etxean eta bizirik behar ditugu. Manu Etxera!” (“We want them alive and at home. Bring Manu home!”) carried by Azkarate’s relatives, including Ixiar Arratibel, the prisoner’s wife, and many Etxerat members, among others. Arratibel said in declarations made before the start of the march that Azkarate had not broken any rules relating to his parole, and regarded his arrest as an injustice and an act of vengeance. Next in the march came the trade union representatives who were supporting the initiative ( ELA, LAB, ESK, EHNE, Hiru, EILAS and CCOO) and who bore the banner which said, “Mendeku eta gorroto politikari ez. Manu Etxera!” (“Down with the policy of vengeance and hate. Bring Manu home!”). During the days leading up to the demo the social organisations ESAIT, Askatasuna and Elkarri pledged their support for the demonstration, as did the political parties Batasuna, EAE-ANV and Aralar, among others. Arnaldo Otegi and Pernando Barrena of Batasuna and Maixux Rekalde of Elkarri also marched along the Donostia streets. The march set out from the Boulevard at exactly 17.30 hours. After progressing through the streets of the city centre, it ended at the place where it had first set off.

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Unions Back Self Determination

Today at Berria.info

ELA and LAB Unions back agreement of those favouring self-determination

They say the steps proposed in the communiqué could further cooperation among those who support self-determination

Editorial Staff – DONOSTIA (San Sebastian)

The two Basque nationalist trade unions issued a joint statement yesterday to give their view on ETA’s latest communiqué. Among other things they issued a specific call for unity among the political forces in favour of self-determination.

The document recognises the differences that exist between ELA and LAB regarding the proposal made by the Basque nationalist left on December 16. Nevertheless, the two unions say they are prepared to cooperate on the points they agree on, in other words, on the ones that back self-determination. For this reason they say in the statement that “cooperation is needed among the sectors of the Basque Country that support self-determination.” And they say that priority must continue to be given to work in this direction that furthers cooperation. ELA and LAB are of the opinion that the channels that need to be pursued are the ones which seek agreements among as many powers as possible which support this right. With respect to the latest communiqué issued by ETA [the armed, pro-Basque independence organisation] they say, “if the steps suggested by ETA in that communiqué were adopted, this would facilitate the processes to achieve cooperation among the forces that back self-determination.”

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ELA : Pact is Needed

Today at Berria:

ELA union calls for minimum pact of those in favour of self-determination

They say a strategy is needed to fill the “gaps existing from a national viewpoint” in the Basque Autonomous Community Government’s proposal

Eider Goenaga – DONOSTIA (San Sebastian)

The National Committee of the trade union ELA has called for “a minimum agreement to be reached among the different bodies in favour of the right to self-determination;” and among the three conditions that have to be taken into consideration in the agreement, it has proposed initiating a “parallel strategy” to fill “the gaps existing from a national viewpoint” in the bill approved by the Government of the BAC [Basque Autonomous Community of Araba, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa]. This proposal is included in the declaration published by the ELA National Committee, which has assessed the BAC Government’s proposal for a new political statute.

In ELA’s view one positive point of the proposal for the new political statute is “to specify the principles on which the Basque nation’s right to self-determination is based,” and it also views the mere publishing of a codified text as positive: “because it makes the proposal more specific and leaves fewer opportunities for backing out.” Yet ELA says the agreement between the three political parties EAJ, EA and EB-IU “is not sufficient if a vitally important matter is to be confronted, and if the long-term bases for democratic coexistence and for resolving political conflict are to be established.” Despite acknowledging the “difficulties” for reaching agreement, ELA has called for a broader “minimum agreement” among the parties in favour of self-determination.

ELA believes that the “priority for the coming months” is the securing of this agreement, and has highlighted three aspects “that must be taken into consideration” when agreeing on the minimum points. The trade union is of the opinion that the proposal has to be “a plan for resolving the political conflict” and “all the parties which subscribe to the agreement have to regard it as useful and adequate for developing their own projects.”

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Protesting the Assault on Basque Culture

Today at Berria:

Thousands protest against the assault on Basque cultural activity

Thousands of people in towns and cities responded to the call made by “Kontseilua” to call for the release of the detainees and demand that the Basque language be left in peace

Editorial Staff

Protests were held yesterday inside the Basque Country to condemn Thursday’s police operation and the attack on Basque cultural activity. For example, about one hundred teachers and students involved in the “Irale” study programme got together for a quarter of an hour in the Larratxo square of Donostia [San Sebastian] with the banner: “Euskalgintzaren aurkako erasorik ez” (No to the attack on Basque Cultural Activity). Between 14.00 and 15.00 hours workers from the Zabaltzen distribution company and the Euskalgintza Elkarlanean publishing house met together in front of the Zabaltzen premises in the Donostia suburb of Igaro. About fifty people lined up behind a banner that read “Atxilotuak askatu Euskal Herria aurrera” (Free the Detainees. Come on Basque Country!). They included Iñaki Sors, the brother of Jose Mari Sors, who is one of the detainees. Martxelo Otamendi [BERRIA’s Chief Editor] and Joxean Lizarribar, on behalf of the “Euskarazko Komunikazio Taldea” [the company that runs BERRIA], also took part.

One of the first protests in front of city and town halls called by “Kontseilua” was held in Baiona (Bayonne). Leading about 150 people Gexan Alfaro of the Elkarlanean publishing house denounced the operation as “state terrorism” and added that “the time has come for all Basque nationalists to unite and dispense with party politics”. Maixan Merkapide, chairman of the “Euskal Konfederazioa” called on the politicians to do something “to stop this.”

In Donostia over 1,000 people got together outside the city hall; Xabier Mendiguren, Kontseilua’s General Secretary, and Joan Mari Torrealdai, the Editor of the journal “Jakin”, were there along with the wives of the detainees Joxe Mari Sors, Mikel Arrizabalaga and Mikel Sorozabal. Representatives of political parties were also there: Luis Mari Bandres of the EAJ (Basque Nationalist Party), Josetxo Ibazeta of Batasuna, Iñaki Irazabalbeitia of Aralar. The ELA and LAB Basque trade unions were also represented, and Joxe Leon Otaño was there on behalf of the AEK (adult Basque teaching organisation).

About 2,000 people staged a protest in Bilbo, and approximately 1,000 in Gasteiz (Vitoria).

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Rallies Supporting Egunkaria

This article comes to us thank to the newly created Berria:

Remembering colleagues

‘EGUNKARIA’. Exactly six months to the day that the Basque-language newspaper was shut down former staff held rallies in Bilbo and Donostia to ask for the release of their imprisoned colleagues

A.I./A.O. – BILBO/DONOSTIA (San Sebastian)

Six months after the shutting down of “Euskaldunon Egunkaria” former staff of the Basque-language daily held rallies yesterday to condemn the closing and to request the release of their colleagues who continue in prison. “Egunkaria” staff received the support of the street bands in Bilbo, and Joxe Joan Gonzalez de Txabarri, the Head of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, took part in the Donostia gathering.

At 12.30 hours the sun was blazing down on the square opposite the Arriaga theatre of Bilbo; an appetising smell wafted down from Areatza, where they were holding an omelette competition, and the buzz of activity from the “Txosnas” (*) could be heard. That was when the rally began.

About a hundred people supported the demand in favour of Egunkaria. Present were the newspaper’s former staff, including Martxelo Otamendi, the former editor of Egunkaria and now the editor of BERRIA, and Joan Mari Larrarte, member of the BERRIA Board of Directors. Numerous members of the Bilbo street bands also joined in the rally and among others there were members of the Hor Dago Abante, Lehoiak, Hau Pittu Hau, Kaskagorri, Askapeña, Txori Barrote, Satorrak, Txomin Barullo, Eguzkizaleak, Pa…Ya! and Hontzak street bands.

Other people also took part in the rally. German Kortabarria, the head of Communications of the trade union ELA; Txutxi Ariznabarreta of the trade union LAB; Andolin Eguzkitza, member of the Royal Academy of the Basque Language and writer; Jexux Mari Zalakain, the lecturer expelled from the EHU-University of the Basque Country; Koldo Rodriguez, the spokesperson for the Basque-language association EHE; Tasio Erkizia, well-known member of the Basque nationalist left; Iñigo Santxo, lawyer, and Martin Barriuso, spokesperson of the Kalamudia association, along with many other citizens. There were also photos of Iñaki Uria, Xabier Alegria and Xabier Oleaga, who all continue in prison in connection with the Egunkaria case.

(*) Txosnas: street refreshment stalls set up during the fiestas in towns and cities.

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Social Initiatives in Support of Egunkaria

This just in:

Several social initiatives on behalf of Egunkaria

Several social initiatives are taken place in the Basque Country on behalf of Egunkaria

Among them we can mentioned the one led by the university students of the UPV - EHU who after a long tradition of occupation to raise different issues, also squatted some university premises twice. The occupation started on the 4-3-03: loads of posters were made and put all over the campus of Leioa (Bilbo) and a free euskaltegi (Basque language school) operated during the day. On 5th March the infamous and feared Beltzas (The Black Ones- Basque regional anti-riot police) evicted the students locked -up in one of the university premises. They were evicted in the same way and for second time on the 7th March.

The Basque parliament has decide with the support of EA, PNV and IU to demand the reopening of the paper Egunkaria. Sozialista Abertzaleak (former Euskal Herritarrok) on the other hand demanded this, plus the end of exception state in Euskal Herria (Basque Country). The municipality representatives of EA and PNV are waiting for judge Del Olmo's decision to see how they help economically and technically Egunkaria to reopen.

Meanwhile the unions, Kontseilua (council of Basque language organizations: EHE, Emun, AEK, Elkar and Hika) and the workers of former Egunkaria have call to stop working for an hour on the 13th March. Among those unions: ELA-STV, LAB, EHNE, STEILAS, ESK-CUIS, ELB, HIRU and EGAS. Apart from the parties mentioned before, other parties like Aralar are backing this initiative. Sortzen-Ikasbatuaz is planning to launch support initiatives in all the schools of the basque Country too. University teachers have presented a communiqué too. A demo has been called for the 15th march on behalf of the self-determination.

On the 27th February, more than 300 solicitors from Bilbao positioned themselves against the closure of Egunkaria.

Outside the Basque Country , in Catalunya a platform has been created in support of Egunkaria (Plataforma per Egunkaria ). They have organised several acts like demos and talk with Martxelo Otamendi. The Catalonian regional government (Generalitat) decided to advertise itself in Egunkaria (now Egunero). The leader of the Catalonian socialists paqual Maragall has been scapegoat of the PP governemnt for asking that the tortures against Egunkaria's editor martxelo Otamendi should be investigated. This was also supported by the Catalonian union leader Joan Coscubiela and the basque socialist Odon Elorza.

Otherwise, the day before yesterday the workers of Egunkaria joined the dole office as staff sacked from a company. The paper's staff was 149, though the number of contributors, collumnists and freelance who'll be affected by this situation will be 300.

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