Public Meeting: Conflict in the Basque Country

by NV Thu Aug 08, 2002 13:48

Justin, you want to tell us about the attack on the Spanish restaurant by your Basque friends at the weekend?

by Justin Moran - Basque Solidarity Ireland Thu Aug 08, 2002 14:07 maigh_nuad at yahoo dot com 086 366 7694

Three Basques youths are being held in Cloverhill on charges relating to an incident that took place at La Paloma restaurant in Temple Bar. The incident took place during a visit to Ireland organised by Basque Solidarity Ireland.

The three men deny the charges put to them of assault, breach of the peace and criminal damage.

Basque Solidarity Ireland, in consultation with the Basque delegation itself, refused to make any statement to the press regarding the incident and we intend to continue this policy.

I would like to thank, both personally and on behalf of the delegation, those people who contacted us with offers of help and solidarity. These offers are welcome, but the situation is in hand.

by Daithi Thu Aug 08, 2002 17:04

Justin,

I'm disappointed that you or your colleagues can't bring themselves to provide any information on Indymedia. You see, in the absence of any other information, everyone will continue to rely on the story of the Sunday Tribune (i.e. that in a childish and unprovoked attack, some participants in the demo were passing a restaurant in Temple Bar, owned by Irish people but cooking Spanish food, and tried to tear down the Spanish flag).

Indymedia enables you to bypass the distortions and preconceptions of journalists, if indeed there has been any misrepresentation of the events. I fail to understand how doing so would be in any way detrimental to the position of the three arrested participants.

You, in your capacity as a SF member, and as a commentator on various issues on Indymedia, have been using this site for quite a while. I honestly believe that commenting on this issue would be a good thing. It's just not possible to close your eyes and hope that the media attention goes away. Without any counter-submission, the "truth" will be that of the Tribune's journalist. Indymedia isn't just useful for announcing and promoting events, it's about reporting on them too.

I respectfully suggest that you reconsider your decision to refrain from making any statement on the events of last Saturday.

Is mise,

Daithi Mac Sithigh
Indymedia volunteer
(personal capacity)

by Justin Moran - Basque Solidarity Ireland Fri Aug 09, 2002 10:43 maigh_nuad at yahoo dot com 086 366 7694

Daithí,
Your points are well taken and were raised in the meeting between members of Basque Solidarity Ireland and the delegation itself. As you point out I post a lot to Indymedia and I have a great deal of respect for the organisation, what it does, and what it tries to do. I do also see it as a lot more than merely a facility on which to announce events.
Your advice that 'commentating on these events would be a good thing' was forcefully put by more than one person during a meeting on the subject but the decision was made not to comment on the actual incident. You are correct in your statement that this means the 'truth' will remain the Tribune (And Sunday Independent's and Evening Herald's) account of the incident but currently, that it how it will have to remain.

Is mise,

Justin Moran
Basque Solidarity Ireland

by red Thu Aug 15, 2002 01:09

I can only conclude from what has been said here is that the ST article is the truth. Otherwise why wouldn't it be denied at least, even here, or at least tell the basques side of the story. The fact that all is said is lawyer like soundings of no comment. and thats how the truth "will have to" remain i can only conclude it is. Which in that case was a ridiculas thing to do and is an embarassment for the basque cause. Although not as bad as killing a six year old girl i suppose...