Thousands and thousands demonstrate under the slogan Euskara Aurrera (Basque language forward) called by Gaztealdia - Youth Network

Thousands of people demonstrated yesterday afternoon in the streets of Donostia to demand the use of Basque in an initiative promoted by Gazte Euskaltzaleen Sarea (network of young people in favor of Basque). Under the slogan 'Euskara aurrera' (forward with Basque), the demonstrators mobilized in order to demand new language policies that guarantee "the right to live in Basque" in a "normalized" way.

The concentration began around 5:30 p.m. in the Antiguo tunnel, next to Ondarreta beach, to go through the Miraconcha promenade, San Martín street, the Fueros promenade and República Argentina street until reaching Donostiarra Boulevard, where the act was closed with the reading of a manifesto. The main referents of the Basque environment joined the call, such as Euskalgintzaren Kontseilua, Euskaltzaleen Topagunea, Euskal Herrian Euskaraz, AEK or Ikastolen Elkartea. Also numerous popular faces of sport, culture or Basque society. All this accompanied by the good weather that prevailed throughout the day in the capital of Gipuzkoa and thanks to the mobilization, by the organizers, of special buses to facilitate travel to Donostia from the main Basque towns, such as Vitoria, Pamplona, ​​Baiona or Bilbao.

At the end of the great march, Aize Otaño, representative of AEK, and Begoña Garaikoetxea, member of Gazte Euskaltzaleen Sarea, proceeded to read a manifesto in which they acknowledged how "concerned" they are with the situation of Basque because "we have important obstacles to continue living in Basque", despite the fact that "some would have us believe otherwise". As they assured, the regularization of this language "is far from normalized." In this sense, they reported that, for example, in Iparralde "the immersion model is faltering, denying the right to take exams in Basque", while in Navarra "linguistic rights are frequently violated". In the Basque Autonomous Community, meanwhile, "measures have been taken to hinder the normalization process of Basque from the courts," they assured.
The main Basque figures joined the march and buses were chartered from Baiona, Bilbao, Vitoria or Iruña

They also stated that the pandemic "has hit Basque hard", which was already dragging a situation "already vulnerable" before the coronavirus. «Children who were only in contact with Basque in classes have spent months without being able to do so. Culture, which is so important for the development of the language, has been stopped, as well as popular initiatives or conferences in favor of Basque».
language policies

For all these reasons, the demonstrators considered that "it is time to activate and organize Basque" in order to take steps towards euskaldunization with a language that is "strong, organized and reformed". "Let's get active and organize ourselves for the Basque language and for the rights of all Basques", Otaño and Garaikoetxea challenged all those present on the San Sebastian Boulevard, who responded with a loud applause. Gazte Euskaltzaleen Sarea assured that this change requires «structural measures here and now», for which it demanded «administrations to assume their responsibilities. Language policies adapted to current times are necessary. For this reason, we ask the governments of our territory to implement, together with Basque social agents and citizens, language policies that respond to current challenges and needs before it is too late. No time to lose".
The demonstrators praised the use of Basque as "a language of social cohesion" for the entire Basque society

Finally, they made a call to the whole of society, both Basque and non-Basque, to "take a step forward to reform the process of Euskaldunization", which "guarantees once and for all the free learning of Basque and it becomes a language of social cohesion" and to guarantee "the rights of all Basques" to live in Basque in a "normalized" way.