The defendants for the rallies in front of Askabide will testify today in Vitoria

The trial of the 21 people who, three years ago, held anti-abortion rallies in front of the Askabide clinic in Vitoria-Gasteiz, yesterday testified  27 witnesses, will continue today and the defendants will have to answer for the alleged crime of coercion for which they request five months' imprisonment, which could be replaced by 100 days' work for the benefit of the community.

On the first day, the center's manager, Igor Elberdin, pointed out that the pressure exerted by the protesters was "constant." He explained that twice a year and 40 days a day the anti-abortion groups concentrated in front of the clinic to pray, carrying rosaries and showing signs, organized in turn, "with as much presence as possible."

"It was a constant, all day long. They show you the signs, they point to you, they pray loudly, they take pictures of us... they use their prayers to say barbarity," he says.

Following complaints from Elberdin, restraining orders were issued and rallies are taking place in a nearby square. According to the center, staff and patients are "much calmer."

Also yesterday, a worker and a patient who felt "intimidated" and "pointed", as well as officers of the Municipal Police and the Ertzaintza who came to the scene on several occasions, agreed that the rallies were peaceful, that the participants were praying and that the posters "were not offensive insults".

Oneof the lawyers has stated that if the clinic shows a sign that says "free abortion", clients can stand in front of someone who says "no to abortion".

For his part, the head of Askabide, Naroa Iturri, has assured us that "getting to trial is a victory for us"and has called for the establishment of a legal security perimeter around these clinics so that we can work" calmly ".