Video: 130,000 rally in Bilbao in support of Basque prisoners

» John Hedges

An Phoblacht Editor

March had widespread support throughout Basque society, including political parties, trade unions and social and community groups

DEFYING A BAN by the Spanish Government in Madrid, 130,000 people paraded peacefully through the Basque city of Bilbao on Saturday evening in support of the peace process and calling for the repatriation and release of political prisoners from the conflict.

The march had widespread support throughout Basque society, including political parties, trade unions and social and community groups.

Earlier, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams sent solidarity greetings from Irish republicans to the marchers from the Sinn Féin leadership meeting in Dublin to formally endorse the proposals on the past, parades and flags by US ex-diplomat Dr Richard Haass and international law expert Professor Meghan O’Sullivan.

The Basque armed organisation ETA declared an end to its armed campaign in 2011 after more than four decades of struggle against the Franco regime and successive Madrid governments.

The current Madrid administration has resisted international calls to embrace the peace process in the Basque Country.

For more information got to Basque Peace Process.