Police unions Esan, Erne, and Euspel have expressed their absolute rejection following an incident that occurred on Tuesday afternoon in Barakaldo. The event took place before a City Council ceremony recognizing the work of 75 Local Police officers and Civil Protection volunteers. A banner was displayed at the Clara Campoamor cultural center, which hosted the event, with the message 'Polizia hiltzaile, Amaia laguntzaile - Police killer, Amaia accomplice', targeting the urban guard and the municipal mayor. This was accompanied by the logo of Ernai, Sortu's youth wing, and the slogan 'Alde hemendik - Get out of here', used by radicals to demand the withdrawal of security forces from the Basque Country.
“"Freedom of expression cannot become impunity to accuse of serious crimes like homicide without proof. In a state of law, responsibilities are settled in courts, not on banners or in public targeting campaigns."
Esan has described these statements as "extremely serious", arguing that "they not only lack judicial or evidentiary support, but also constitute a direct attack on the honor, professionalism, and legitimacy of agents who perform their work within the current legal framework". For them, this type of message delegitimizes the police function and creates a climate of hatred and targeting, "with unpredictable consequences for the safety of the agents themselves". Furthermore, they believe it crosses the boundaries of legitimate criticism, "entering the realm of defamation".
Therefore, they urge institutions "not to normalize or protect this type of behavior", and demand "that appropriate legal actions be considered to protect the professional dignity of the agents". "We reiterate our firm and unequivocal support for all Basque police officers, who carry out their work with professionalism, often in complex conditions, and always subject to judicial and administrative control. Not everything goes".
For its part, Euspel took the opportunity to show its support for colleagues in the Barakaldo Local Police. "It is worrying to see that hatred continues to be inoculated, like a toxic inheritance, into manipulable young people. A wall against coexistence, a stick in the wheel of our future". Erne also praised the "professionalism and commitment" of the local agents, expressing its "strong condemnation of the hate campaign promoted by Ernai against the Euskal Polizia". "These types of actions are unacceptable and undermine coexistence and democratic respect. Faced with these attitudes, they will always find us in opposition".
The municipal mayor, Amaia del Campo (PNV), spoke during the tribute event to condemn the incident. "Times pass, some do not change, and the usual fascists remain in our streets", she noted. Five years ago, Ernai militants also placed several banners in the municipality accusing the Police of "repression".
