These statements were made during the homage paid by the socialist group of Andoain to columnist José Luis López de Lacalle, marking the 26th anniversary of his assassination by ETA in this Gipuzkoan town.
“"I am committed and will remain committed to ensuring that our youth and subsequent generations know what happened in Euskadi. We must speak with them in families and at school, and tell them what we have lived through, what we have suffered, so they know that eight people were killed in Andoain simply for thinking differently."
The event was attended by the general secretary of the PSE of Gipuzkoa, the delegate of the Spanish Government, and the vice-counselor for Human Rights, Memory, and Coexistence, among other personalities. López de Lacalle was assassinated in Andoain on May 7, 2000, as he returned home after buying the newspaper.
Socialists have stressed that terrorism "has only produced pain and suffering," and that the assassinations were "cowardly and incomprehensible" acts. They have also called for "courage from those who have not yet clearly and unequivocally acknowledged the harm caused," adding that "ideas are fought with other ideas."
Finally, they have defended the importance of keeping alive acts of homage and memory for the victims, as they are "spaces for recognizing victims, accompanying families, and building a collective and shared memory essential for coexistence."
