Members of this organisation supports the Independence of the Basque Nation with its three provinces in Spain and four in France, by carrying around small rocks to symbolise their solidarity with the independence movement. Rock carrying is one of the great Basque traditions and the strongest men can carry rocks weighing up to 350 pounds in traditional races in the region.

Supporters of independence don’t have to carry such big stones – small pebbles and house bricks are perfectly acceptable substitutes, although it is advisable to hide them away in a bag or large pocket, just in case any passers-by get nervous. The most important thing is the symbolism of the Stone and the spirit with which it is carried.

As Ferran Azpilicueta of the SCBI explains: “The stone should ideally be from The Basque Country, so that you are carrying around with you a genuine part of the very being of the region you are supporting. People have accused us of throwing these stones through the windows of the police and civil guard in certain places, but they don’t understand we wouldn’t demean our stones in such a manner.  Breaking a Spanish window with a Basque stone doesn’t mean much.”

Extract from the book – 40 Strange Groups