Basques rally for a political solution
In spite of heavy police deployment, 30,000 Basques took to the streets on July 27 in what some news agencies described as the largest ever demonstration in support of Herri Batasuna. More than 500 police in riot gear and a police helicopter watched over the march.
The HB leadership headed the march, carrying a banner calling for "A political way out for the Basque country, now". Demonstrators chanting "Freedom" and "Independence" moved peacefully along the beachfront in Donostia.
The rally, originally planned for July 19, was banned by the Spanish government in three Basque provinces. However, on July 24, after many protests against the banning, the government granted permission for the demonstration.
Some politicians argued that the march was a provocation by HB and would be seen as an insult by angry ETA opponents. Other politicians from the United Left defended Herri Batasuna's right to voice its opinions.
Addressing supporters, HB spokesperson Floren Aoiz said HB is "holding out its hands in the search for peace but will continue the struggle" for freedom and democracy.
The party reasserted its call for the transfer of the Basque political prisoners and condemned a campaign by politicians to isolate it and curb its role in regional government. Aoiz accused the government and media of manipulating the death of Miguel Angel Blanco to undermine Basque dissidence.
[Abridged from Euskal Herria.]