Following a racist and xenophobic attack on a young Ecuadorian woman on the underground in Barcelona on October 7 th, where the perpetrator was released without bail, a series of protests took place throughout the state of Spain this weekend, with the clear message 'Everyone Against Racism'.

The case received world wide media attention, because the whole incident was recorded on closed circuit television showing a man verbally and physically abusing a woman. Particularly disturbing was the sight of another man in the carriage, while the attack was taking place, doing nothing to help the victim.

The event was so well publicised via the internet that the Foreign Minister of Ecuador, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, made a complaint to the Prime Minister of Spain, Zapatero, who later condemned the assault.

Protests took place throughout the state of Spain, including in Iruña/Pamplona where the President of the EFAy, Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, attended the demonstration to show his support.

In a statement to EFAy Bureau Members Rhisiart Tal-e-bot said:

"The EFAy condemns this despicable racist assault on a member of the public and racism and xenophobia per se. I hope the apparent agreement made between the Ecuadorian and Spanish Governments to deal harshly with future racist or xenophobic attacks will be strictly adhered to. However, this incident highlights the need for tougher legislation against racism."

Independence for the Basque Country was the slogan being shouted by thousands of people in Iruna/Pamplona today as Spain celebrated Dia de la Hispanidad/Hispanity Day (known as well as "Columbus Day")and Armed Forces Day.

In the Basque Country and Catalunya today, a public holiday throughout the whole of the state of Spain, is widely regarded as an Spanish ultra nationalist festival and many basques do not regard it as a holiday at all. Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, President of the EFAy, witnessed the demonstration in Iruna/Pamplona:

"There was occasionally a tense atmosphere, as many of the protesters booed the police who marched alongside the crowd, but on the whole people were in good spirits. There were people of all ages among the protesters. Nevertheless the police were out in droves and carried guns at the ready".

The protest, organized by the Eusko Abertzale Ekintza - Acción Nacionalista Vasca (EAE-ANV) (Basque Nationalist Action) political party called for the independence of the Basque Country and the release of leading members of the illegal Batasuna party who were arrested last week. Protests were also held in Donostia/San Sebastian.

The EFAy has received a response from the European Energy Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs, to their letter on the banning of incandescent light bulbs throughout Europe.

Last July the EFAy wrote to the Commissioner asking him to support the agreement made by the EU in March this year for a blanket ban on incandescent bulbs throughout the bloc. The EFAy also raised the point that the suggested 2015 deadline for a ban was too far away and that a shorter deadline was needed if Carbon Dioxide emissions were to be substantially reduced.

Commissioner Andris Piebalgs stated that "consultants carrying out the preparatory study on domestic lighting have just started their work, which can be followed up on their website www.eup4light.net." The Commissioner also highlighted that the study will examine the "entire life cycle of lamps through all their significant environmental aspects", including, as the EFAy were happy to hear, the "mercury content at the end of life".

The full text of Commissioner Piebalgs letter can be found below:
Dear Mr Tal-e-bot

Member of the European Commission

From Monday to Wednesday the yearly event organised by R&PS and coorganised by EFA and EFAY took place in Carmaux, an occitan region of an extraordinary exultant nature.

Around 130 persons participated in the event. EFA and EFAY had their turn on Tuesday morning. In a room full of people, Nelly Maes, EFA's president; Jordi Perales, EFA's political advisor; Mikel Irujo, EFA's MEP; and Michael Schulz, EFAY's Bureau member, took the floor.

They all explained EFA's policy regarding different issues:
1.- The role of the intermediate structures in the EU: regional governments, CoR, etc.
2.- How are the interests of these intermediate structures represented at the European scale.
3.- EU's internal enlargement and the speciphic EFA position on it.
4.- Michael, EFAYs representative in the Summer University, pointed out the importance of the autonomy for the regions, the right of the people to decide their future themselves, as well as the huge relevance of the european integration in a Europe that respects all the citizens and gives solutions to their needs according to their individual and collective rights.

A very interesting debate begun after their intervention with questions and absolutely pertinent comments on the issues explained before. The good environment among the participants facilitated the easy feed back of information and knowledge.

A group of around 15 youngsters from different political parties (UDB and Póc) were there too, and this event helped us all to strengthen the relationship between these organisations and EFAY.

After lunch a visit to the incredible beautiful cities of Cordes sur Ciel and Albi was organised and we finised the day with a delicious occitan dinner in the middle of the woods.

Congratulations R&PS!!
Carmaux, 27-29th August.