Pacifist demonstrations in the Basque Contry: The beginnings of Gesto por la paz

Abstract

This article, which is part of researches into the recent history of the Basque country, has as fundamental objective realize an approach to the beginnings of the Coordinadora Gesto por la Paz de Euskal Herria, pioneer in the demonstrations against the political violence in the Basque country. The research conducted mainly from newspaper sources allows us to approach the precedents and the early stages of this organization which in the 90s reached nearly 175 groups and was benchmark in social mobilization against terrorism. It is not a history of Gesto por la Paz, but is the history of how was conceived. To conclude, the importance of the social mobilizations that have had in the process towards peace in the Basque country, and the significance of these groups attempting to transmit a message of peace and connivance to transform the violent or uncivil social attitudes are highlighted herein.