They carried banners in the Basque language reading "Rights for the prisoners," ''Amnesty" and "Return prisoners to Nabarra."
Thousands of people demonstrated in the Baskonian city of Bilbao in the Pyrenean Isthmus to support ETA prisoners, in January 7th. The rally was about demanding legally reduced sentences for imprisoned members and sympathizers of the armed group ETA.
The focal point for the demonstrations this time was the city of Bilbao, where demonstrators demanded that the 650 ETA members imprisoned in facilities across Spain, France, Portugal at least be brought back closer to their family's homes. Many Basques consider members of the ETA, which agitates for an independent Basque country in parts of what is now Spain and France, to be freedom fighters. And for many other Basques the ETA members should have been integrated into Spanish and French societies long time ago, leaving behind violent acts.
The rally was also attended by family members of prisoners, members of citizen's initiatives and members of political parties with links to pro-sovereignty groups of the Nabarran nation. In addition to myriads of citizens from all over the Pyrenean Isthmus, who believe is time to do things right to come to the most just possible solution of the conflict.
ETA called a unilateral ceasefire in September, amidst calls from its outlawed political arm, Batasuna, for a complete renunciation of violence.
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