San Sebastian, Spain
Some 3,000 people defied a ban on demonstrations in the separatist Basque region of northern Spain this week, marching through the streets and demanding independence. The government has been trying to crack down on the militant group ETA, which has killed hundreds of people in terrorist attacks since 1968—including dozens this year. But a recent ban on the group’s political wing, Batasuna, may have backfired. The marchers this week included many Basque nationalists who say they deplore ETA violence but will not stand by while a political party is muzzled. “I don’t agree with ETA,” said local labor activist José Maria Larranaga, “but I also don’t agree with banning Batasuna. That is going to create a lot of problems.” Batasuna is the second-largest party in the region.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
What happens if Russia declares war on Nato?Today's Big Question Fears are growing after Vladimir Putin's 'unusually specific warning' to Western governments
-
'Spacewalking goes commercial'Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
-
Quiz of The Week: 7 - 13 SeptemberPuzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
