(Main photo: Arabako Mendiak Aske)
(Euskaraz) (Castellano)
Some 18,000 people gathered in Pamplona on Saturday to show solidarity with the 7 people prosecuted for their opposition to the Aroztegia project.
The 7 activists are facing 20 years in prison and 56 thousand euros for opossing an unnecessary and high-impact macro-project.
Milaka lagun elkartu dira Iruñean Aroztegiko proiektuan auziperatuei elkartasuna adierazteko
These are some of the reasons why Sustrai Erakuntza is joining the demonstration:
- It is a speculative and commercial project: in the town of Lekaroz, with 340 inhabitants, they intend to build 228 single-family homes, a 4-star luxury hotel and a golf course.
- It is an anti-democratic and imposing project: it is intended to be imposed against the will of those who live and work in the area. Their opinion has not been taken into account. The Government of Navarra has withdrawn powers from the Baztan town council, denying it the ability to make decisions, using the legal-administrative figure of the PSIS.
- It is a usurping project: agricultural land and communal land have been expropriated.
- The Palacio de Arozteguia company has acted illegally: in 2021 they introduced machinery without all the permits and with total impunity to start the works, as ruled by the High Court of Justice of Navarra.
- The Palacio de Arozteguia company has taken the path of repression and punishment against those who defend the Earth: given the illegality of the company’s actions, a camp was set up against these illegal works in the Aroztegia area. 7 participants in this camp are to be subjected to a week-long trial in February. The charges include crimes of coercion and membership of a criminal group. They are being asked for 20 years in prison and a fine of 56,000 euros.
STATEMENT FOR THE AROZTEGIA DEMONSTRATION
Good afternoon everyone!
Thank you to all of you who have come to Iruñea (Pamplona) today. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the people who have collaborated on this long road in the fight against the speculative and destructive project of Aroztegia. Today we would like to thank the dozens of elderly, adult and young people who have joined our fight in the streets, in offices and in the kitchens of their homes. We would also like to thank all of you who have been creating solidarity committees in every corner of Euskal Herria, putting up posters and banners and organising gatherings. The power and spirit of solidarity and struggle of people has become clear! Biba zuek! (Long live you!)
Without a doubt! Our most sincere thanks and recognition to the representatives of some of the groups who came today to carry the banner. Even though not all the people fit, we had with us representatives of the movements and popular agents who have worked for years in defense of the land in Euskal Herria (Basque Country). Today, here, we have shown that the fight against Aroztegia is not an isolated case.
Unfortunately in Euskal Herria there is as much Aroztegia as Bizkarsoro, and an example of this are the groups that accompany us here: Erdiz Bizirik, Ostia!, Araba Bizirik, Guggenheim Urdaibai Stop!, Sustrai Erakuntza, AHT Gelditu, Subflubialik Ez! Thanks to everyone, we will make the journey together!
As you know, the Aroztegia project is a speculative urban development project that is intended to be carried out in the town of Lekaroz, with 350 inhabitants, in which it is intended to build a luxury hotel, a golf course and 228 chalets that will turn upside down the organization, the land, the language, the world view and the way of life of our people. For years we have spread to the four winds that the Aroztegia struggle is a multiple and unique struggle at the same time. It is a project that Hasmenta has imposed above the popular will with violence and through violent repression. Therefore, we claim the right of citizens to decide, which is a struggle for the sovereignty and liberation of the people.
In addition, we live under the threat of climate change. As we defend water, land, the environment and extensive local agriculture essential to sustain life, we also join the ecological struggle. In the face of projects that seek to expropriate our lands, eliminate our language and our culture and subject our lives to capital, we demand that our culture, our language, our communal lands and everyone else have habitable lives. Therefore, as between life and capital we put life at the centre, our struggle is also feminist, anti-capitalist and anti-colonialist.
They want to punish us for fighting for life. Those who destroy our corners with impunity and without shame, want to call us criminals and send us to jail. Are we criminals? Who is the criminal here? To channel the urban development windfall they have used the UGEP, appropriating money and public land from the citizens. All this with the invaluable complicity of the Government of Navarre. This is not enough, and since the windfall has gone wrong, they are asking for compensation of 43 million euros, like the seven people prosecuted. Here, the issue is to fill the pockets behind the backs of the citizens. What a shame!
In their desire for revenge, 7 people from Baztan are accused of crimes of coercion and belonging to a criminal group. This would be a serious precedent for the popular movements of Euskal Herria. We know that this repressive offensive is not only against the 7 people prosecuted by Aroztegia. With this trial they want to criminalize the entire peoples’ movement, at this point we are on alert! It is not the only case, today in Euskal Herria we have examples similar to this case. Like the members of Araba Bizirik who have recently received a fine under the Clamp Law (mordaza), or the members of Ostia. From here, we call on you to come and show solidarity at the trial on February 11 in Baiona. The defense of the land is everyone’s business, EUTSI!
Sanctions against land defenders are also increasing internationally. Today we would especially like to remember the case of the 5 activists from the Santa Marta community in El Salvador, who will also be on trial in two days. With their criminalization they intend to demobilize an entire community that watches over the land. We want to show our solidarity with all these people who are suffering repression.
Multinationals, institutions and courts that are channeling this repressive offensive, LISTEN: You will not stop us or silence us! Today we tell you clearly that we will not allow this witch hunt and that there is a people willing to defend themselves. Despite the attacks, there is and will be a people who will remain standing in the streets, mountains, forests and farms.
Acquit now the 7 people prosecuted in Aroztegia!
Stop the UGEP of Aroztegia!
We will defend our mother’s house!
Note: The trial will be held from May 19 to 23.
