"Remi deserved it, and that's why we are, after eleven years, here once again" was the speech that the members of Remi goan started on Friday, in the Plaza de Rebote de Villabona.
Despite the special situation, they thanked all the attendees for the tribute. "It's a very rare and hard year, but today we also had to be here, by Remi," they stressed. Although eleven years have passed, "we do not want to forget what happened on 31 July 2009 in the Basque Country. Although time is said to heal the wounds, we have not yet been wound down and it does us harm," they said. "Some are still as if nothing had happened, but that's not fair," they said. "Explanations are due to us, and those responsible for that day, everyone has to shoulder their responsibilities," said the members of the initiative in a statement. "And only in this way will we advance on the path of truth, justice, recognition and reparation. Remi, like other victims in this country, deserves recognition. Recognize that he was a victim of political violence. Remi had not died of a heart attack.
Like Friday, St. Ignatius Day, it was the last Friday of every month, eleven years ago. "The plenary was called in defence of the rights of eta prisoners. But because of the political and media pressure of that summer, Spanish judges banned it." Finally, the call was suspended, but "some did not find it enough", they explained, so "they came to the party zone in search of disturbances". "We all witnessed the police pressure of the black uniformed," they recalled. "In the face of this situation, Remi, on behalf of the people, tried to end the festivities in peace, but in vain, they did not allow it. They made her heart jump," they said. That is why they demanded "justice" and "we want the facts to be clarified".
Brother Mikel Ayestaran spoke on behalf of the family, thanking everyone, said clearly: "For the eleventh time, we ask for the names of those responsible for the actions. We claim the right to know the truth. The demand for memory and justice remains a priority in the construction of this country". And eleven years later, he insisted that meetings are still held on the last Friday for the rights of the prisoners they have in the locality. He referred to popular support, as "only the people will save the people." "Because the support of the people is essential to partially alleviate this cruel situation," he added.
It was also said that the Esne Beltza group planned to give a concert that night, but of course it was suspended. On Friday, however, the members of Esne Beltza wanted to be on stage singing two songs. There was also dantzaris and bertsolaris, and the members of Remi goan Ekimena thanked everyone present for their participation in the tribute in exchange for a kiss, and they made the tribute possible.
Once the act of the Rebote Square was completed, and respecting the shifts, they headed towards the monument to Remi Ayestarán with the carnations in their hand. After placing everyone respecting the distances, Eusko Gudariak ended with the tribute to Remi singing.
