a minute agoIndependence vote, Basks form “human engineering” 202km long
Periskopi(8 years ago)
(8 years ago)Thousands of people from Spain's Basque area have joined hands by forming a chain about 202 km long, demanding the right to vote for independence. The human chain protest was organised by the Basque Gure Escu Dougo (It's Our Hand) group marching from Donostia (also known as San Sebastian) in the Bask parliament [...]
The human chain protest was organised by the Basque Gure Escu Dago (It's Our Hand) group, marching by Donostia (also known as San Sebastian) in the Bask Parliament in Gastiz (Vitoria).
The Spanish Constitution established in 1978, following the end of the regime of dictator Francisco Franco, says the country is inseparable and last year's attempt by Catalonia to hold a secession referendum faced a severe legal blow.
Spain's former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who has been criticised for the way he dealt with the Catalan crisis, was toppled by Socialist leader Pedor Sanchez in a parliamentary vote of confidence that was held on 1 June.
Sanchez, who now heads the government after the vote, has called for repeated talks with the Catalan leadership.
The Spanish government, backed by the constitutional court, claims any ballot for regional independence is illegal.
The October 1st vote on the division of Catalonia from Spain and the regional government's unilateral declaration of independence prompted Madrid to take over the region and arrest civil servants involved in the vote.
