More than 2,000 people have joined the mobilization called by the Guardian business committee and the SOS Aiaraldea platform. The massive human chain that has left the Mueble soccer field surrounds the plant and strongly denounces the closure of the Guardians.
The historical mobilization
Today, Laudio has been one of the most popular mobilizations of the last decades. The two kilometers that surround the perimeter of the Guardian have become small. As soon as the human chain reaches the bridge, it becomes a mass demonstration.
The extinction of the oven, which has been in the mouths of all citizens and the media these days, has also been very present throughout the course of the mobilization. "The oven is not damaged, it has been damaged! “The workers shouted aloud. In fact, following the initial intentions of the multinational, the oven has been left without removing the glass that contained it, leaving the infrastructure unusable, the unions denounce. The role of the Basque Government in this decision has been repeatedly denounced during the demonstration.
The Guardian staff is excited to thank the warm support of the citizens they have received over the past few days: "They're having hard days, but today has been terrible. Thank you," they shouted when they had just begun their meeting in the People's Square.
The role of the Government: "furious and irresponsible"
The workers of the Guardian speak critically in front of thousands of people gathered in the People’s Square. "The lack of transparency and improvisation" surrounds the closure of the Guardian, according to the members of the Business Commission. "The management has closed the plant without assessing alternatives that could have prevented the suspension of activity and the destruction of employment. The company has told us in several meetings that this decision has not been made because of the failure of the furnace, but because they are not interested in the Laudio plant."
They are also distrustful of the news released by the Basque Government about "potential investors". "We find it outrageous and irresponsible to be announcing these alleged efforts in the media, ignoring those directly involved in this situation. It is the lives of the people that are at stake, and not only that, but also the jobs that have been destroyed without any consequences before, that are at stake now and for the future," said the representatives of the committee.
The pictures are: By Aimar Gutiérrez Bidarte and Naia Vallejo Alonso
