Today we have learned of the penalties imposed against Catalan pro-independence political prisoners. After two years in prison, Jordi Cuixart, Carme Forcadell, Dolors Bassa, Oriol Junqueras, Jordi Sànchez, Joaquim Forn, Raül Romeva, Jordi Turull and Josep Rull have been sentenced to various terms of between 9 and 13 years for sedition and misuse of public funds.
First of all, we want to send a warm embrace to the prisoners and their families. A such manifestly unfair sentence seeks to erode the morale of those who have been willing to stand by their convictions. We are sure that you will not feel the weight of loneliness: we will try to make our solidarity visible to counteract the harshness of the current situation.
Secondly, we warn that there is a legal debate on the characterization of the sentences that, while important in the field of defence strategies, should not cover the political background of the matter. The self-determination of a people is a right. Peaceful civil disobedience is the weapon of struggle of the popular classes in unfair situations. Faced with a political system inherited from Franco, designed to restrict rather than expand collective rights, Anticapitalistas demands the legitimate right to exercise civil rights beyond the limits imposed by the state.
Thirdly, we are aware that the attempt to crush the Catalan independence movement is a warning to all. Anyone who disobeys in order to exercise a right will be prosecuted, whether in a strike, in stopping an eviction or in any social protest action.
In that sense, the common struggle is above national feelings: the consistent internationalism is one that stands in solidarity with the other and seeks to create ties through shared rights.
Fourth, we call for mobilization and demand amnesty, freedom and self-determination. The only possible solution is for the Catalan people to exercise their right to decide in peace and freedom.
Madrid
Anticapitalistas, Monday 14 October 2019