“It’s better to die on your feet than to live forever on your knees”
On this day in 1936: The Spanish Civil War began as hundreds of Scots joined the global fight against fascism
When fascist dictator General Francisco Franco launched a military uprising against Spain’s democratically elected government, it quickly became a battle that captured the attention of the world.
Thousands of volunteers from more than 50 countries travelled to Spain to join the International Brigades, believing they were helping to stop the spread of fascism before it engulfed Europe.
Among them were 549 Scots, including 65 from Glasgow and a number from Renton in West Dunbartonshire who lost their lives
They came from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Fife, Lanarkshire, Dundee and communities across the country. Many were miners, shipbuilders, engineers and trade unionists who left behind their families and jobs to fight for a cause they believed was bigger than themselves.
They stood shoulder to shoulder with volunteers from England, Wales, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, the United States, Canada, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Belgium, the Netherlands and dozens of other nations, united by a shared determination to resist fascism.
The fighting was brutal. More than 200 Scottish volunteers never returned home, losing their lives in battles such as Jarama and Brunete.
Although Franco ultimately won the war in 1939 and ruled Spain as a dictator for decades, the International Brigades have been remembered as one of history’s most remarkable examples of ordinary people crossing borders to defend democracy and stand against fascism.
Today, memorials across Scotland, including the bull at Renton and Nae Paaseran on the Quays in Glasgow, honour those 549 volunteers who made that extraordinary journey.
And 90 years later, it comes as a timely reminder to fight the far-right whenever they raise their ugly heads
Forty seven brave anti fascist souls from West Dunbartonshire left Scotland and fought beside the Spanish people in the Civil War of 1936 against Franco the fascist dictator. Many Western Governments and Religions supported Franco and turned their backs on the Spanish People.
The 3 Gibbons Brothers from Back Street in Renton went and faught against the fascist Franco. The memorial in Main Street Renton is to honour them and all the other freedom fighters who joind the Internation Brigade to defend democrarcy and oppose Fascisim.
Sadly Fascisim and Racisim is on the rise again in the West and we all have a duty to fight this and defend democracy. NO PASARAN.