• Security: Civilian agents will strengthen the prevention of sexual assaults in the Aste Nagusia of Bilbao

With the proclamation "Self Defense!" , this morning about a dozen Bilboko Konpartsak konpartseras have gathered in front of the Arriaga Theater in Bilbao to demand an aggression-free space for the beginning of the Bilbao Nagusia Aste that begins this coming weekend. Seven days in which they hope to "dance, sing, laugh and potentiate without risk of being attacked", in a festive space defined by "enjoyment, respect and mutual care" . And in which there is no room for "slugs to compliment us, machirulos that harass us, or companions who underestimate us , " said Bilboko Konpartsak spokeswoman Itziar Martínez .

"We want parties where our bodies and our decisions are always respected . " And not having to return home accompanied, or that the kuadrilla is left pending if we arrive well, "much less institutional or secret paternalisms that" protect "us, Martinez has added: " No aggression, no protection. We alone without fear . "

Some proclamations made at a particularly sensitive time for the population, after the last cases of sexual assaults and rapes that have been known in recent weeks in different Basque municipalities. Faced with possible cases of aggressions, since the konpartsak have "assumed the commitment to change the established script" and, beyond the response protocols to the aggressions, they have created a "specific and specialized working group, which works all year to try to prevent them from happening . "

During the last years they have also organized and participated in sensitization, deconstruction and empowerment workshops, "socializing this reality and involving all the konpartseros and konpartseras". And they have been equipped with tools that allow them to "unlearn, identify and respond actively to any macho manifestation, wherever it comes from." Because, as they have said: "The best way to avoid aggressions is to act in front of them, through mutual care and, above all, through self-defense."

They have also made available to all those who approach the parties the help of all the konpartseros who "are prepared to act, and who can go to any situation of abuse . " And they have taken the opportunity to call on all Bilbao so that, in case the response protocol is activated, they add "to the mobilizations that will be at 7.30 pm "; and have reported on the possibility that, as it happened during the festivities of La Blanca, in Vitoria, the party stops for a few minutes.

Regarding the concert that C. Tangana had planned to offer at parties, which was finally canceled after political controversy and citizen protests on social networks for the macho lyrics of his songs; in line with his speech, they consider that " they have no place, look where you look, artistic manifestations of any kind in which misogynist and sexist content are transmitted, through sexual reification, and promoting abuse and impunity" . In this sense they have applauded the positioning of the Bilbao people who showed "clearly their rejection" and celebrate "that the City Council has heard, taken note and canceled such action . "

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