Penya Blaugrana London

Public statement from Penya Blaugrana London, as approved by members at the last General Assembly

1. Penya Blaugrana London firmly and unambiguously respect and defend basic democratic values and human rights principles, such as freedom of speech, freedom of peaceful assembly, and right to fair trial among others.
2. The penya recognises the right to decide of the Catalan people. This is not about taking sides on pro- or anti-independence, but about supporting basic democratic principles as claimed by over 80% of the Catalan population.
3. The penya condemns the heavy-handed approach of the Spanish government against the Catalan people, politicians and institutions these last few weeks.

Rationale 

The slogan "more than a club" was pinned in 1968 to describe the fact that FCB represented more than a football club to Catalans. For many years in the 20th century, Catalans lived under the shadow of dictatorships and repression that persecuted its people, language, culture and historic values. During these hard times, FCB always sided with the Catalan struggle and sentiments to maintain the flame of catalanity alive.

The penya, as an organisation that represents FCB in London, should always be true to the meaning of "more than a club", and should above all defend and promote democratic values and basic human right principles, and issue condemnations when violations occur, especially when against the Catalan people. Let's remember, FCB is a Catalan club. And is "mes que un club" for a reason.

In our view, the recent heavy-handed and draconian actions against the Catalan people and institutions these last few weeks have unfortunately surpassed the realms of politics, and could be argued have now entered the realms of state repression (see contextual information below).