Various unions and organisations joined the protest in Xixón against the bakery workers’ conviction
~ Guillermo Martínez, La Marea ~
Following the court’s refusal to suspend their sentences, the streets of Xixón (Asturias, Spain) once again chanted, “the Suiza 6 will not go to prison”. The protest on Sunday (29 June) drew around 10,000 people, according to the organisers, and demonstrated their rejection of the prison sentences imposed on the union members by the Right Wing Courts. Various unions and organisations joined the protest, demanding a pardon from the central government.
“Trade unionism is not a crime”, they repeated in their hoarse voices.
The demonstration started on Paseo de Begoña at noon and ended in front of the courthouse in the Asturian city, which once again vibrated with the activists’ passage. Erica Conrado, the general secretary of the CNT (National Union of Workers’ Unions), the union to which four of the convicted women belong, criticised the court’s refusal to allow the union members to divide their sentences, a measure that would have prevented them from going to prison.
The union’s pressure materialised in demonstrations in front of the shop and an attempt to mediate with the owner of the establishment after he also filed a complaint. The process ended with a conviction by Judge Lino Rubio, known for his landmark rulings against union members.
They were sentenced to two years in prison for ‘serious coercion’ and another for ‘obstruction of justice’, which translates to a year and a half in prison. Against the court ruling, Xixón has once again taken to the streets to strengthen this armed barricade of mutual support, which has continued to grow over time.
“The prison order could come at any moment. Our comrades live in a state of constant uncertainty”, Conrado told La Marea before the start of the demonstration. The sun was beginning to set over the city streets. “Irreparable damage has been caused after eight years of legal proceedings that have persecuted six people solely for defending the rights of the working class”, she added.
Throughout the march, which lasted a couple of hours, chants such as “worker fired, boss hanged,” “comrades, you are not alone”, and “the strength of the worker: solidarity” were heard constantly. Several of the convicted individuals also participated in the demonstration…
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