ON MARCH 15 anarchist demonstrations were announced near the center of Barcelona. There were not enough people. Many were forbidden to attend the demos. After about an hour police brutally attacked peaceful demonstrators. I was in the crowd that felt the rage of police rubber truncheons. Some people were falling on the ground and we were all holding each other strongly, so we wouldn't be seperated and then beaten one by one. I received many kicks on my back (luckly I had my rucksack on me), on my legs (probably with intention to knock me on the ground) and on my right arm. After that the police drew back and we started running up the street. We seperated a lot at that time. I was in a group of 100-200 people. We tried to find others, because we were too little number.

On our way to the streets we saw some baricades being set up and a couple of multinational corporations had their windows smashed in. Nothing special. Then we split again and I found myself in a group of only 30 people. First the ambulance passed us by, after that two police cars followed. We wanted to stay calm, but we didn't exactly look like an ordinary group of passers-by, so we started running - first in one direction, then in the other as more cars showed up. Many succeeded and got away, while one robocop ran after me. He hit me with his rubber truncheon, once on the head and then I stopped. He suddenly calmed down and I was taken to the police station along with this Spanish guy and a girl from Sweden.

They read my rights there and some of their duties, which they didn't fulfil entirely. I was taken to a doctor. First, the doctor put one stitch on my head and one on my arm and he also took an X-ray photo of my hand. Due to the fact my arm was broken (upper bone of my middle finger), I was taken to a hospital. I waited at least three hours, but in the end doctors were really nice. They put my arm in plaster and told me I'll have to stay in the hospital for two-three days since my arm was bleeding and there was a possibility of an infection. Two police officers were present by my side at all times: they watched over me when I was sleeping, and followed me to the bathroom, etc. Other morning they gave me my clothes without any explanation and without letting me speak to my doctor.

I was taken to the police station, where I spent the night in a cell sleeping on ceramic floor without water, toilet and of course without a blanket. They also took my glasses, but not my piercings. In the cell of 1,5 m & 2m there were four of us at all time, at night six. I was with Ebba from Sweden all time, and we'll also be judged together, since we were arrested together under the same charges (attack, resistance, disobedience). We didn't receive much food, I got a couple antibiotics. The next night we were given blankets after several hours of pleading. I spoke with my lawyer (Sara), who is one of the people from the legal support group and has had experience of such situations before. I wasn't allowed to make a telephone call on my own.

The next day I was taken to another jail, where I gave the statement in front of the judge, who asked most absurd questions. (They also found nails in my rucksack - which were there from the time we were fixing the door - and they wanted to know, why I keep them. They asked Ebba, if she threw nails at cops. I also had the address of some squat and of the bus station, which was again very suspicious to them.) The great problem was also a question of my residence in Barcelona (because you can't mention squat, naturally). So I only gave them the name of the street, where I'm 'staying'.

In the end money was the most important question, since the judge demanded 600 for our release, otherwise we would stay in jail till the beginning of the trial. Sara then spoke with people outside the prison and legal support team from Sweden paid for me and Ebba. 600 is the bail for foreigners. If we win the lawsuit, we get the money back. All my personal stuff was returned to me, except documentation from the hospital. Next day I immediately went to the hospital, where they took another X-ray photo of my hand and made a report, so I'll have evidence on the court.

I have court on April 9. Two cops are to testify against me, so I have to get my witnesses. I will file a lawsuit against the ill-treatment of police and try to get my hands on video footage of the police attack. (there is much footage, but journalists turn them over to the police.) For now I have a great chance to win the lawsuit.

The other day, I heard, 80 more people were arrested, but were released, since the procedure has been changed and foreigners didn't have to pay bail anymore. While four Basques were detained for the longest and 1500 for each had to be paid. Another stupid one: Ebba received court order about deportation from the European Union, even though she's Swedish! On March 15 there was a struggle against police violence!

Ok, I'll let you know, when something new happens. Once again, praise to all and thanks to the legal and medical support groups, A-groups from Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia, friends in Kranj and Ljubljana and of course to everyone else, who did and still take care of me.

The struggle continues ... NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE!

- SOURCE: Erik Valencic for BLUE

Email Maja: barricada13@hotmail.com With thanks to the e-magazine Mladina