This is the talk Alice Bowman, Edinburgh RIC gave to the Spanish Covil War Memorial Event, in the Tollcross Community Centre.
I just wanted to start by saying how happy I am to have been invited to speak at such a fantastic event remembering the Scottish men and women that went to fight against fascism in the Spanish civil war.
I
must admit that I don’t that much about the Spanish Civil war, and I’m not
going to stand here and pretend that I do. Despite my gaps in knowledge, I think we can all learn and draw inspiration from the men and women that left
their homes here in Scotland to fight for a truly internationalist cause: the
fight against fascism. Their drive and determination to create a better world
society based on the principles of equality, freedom and solidarity is
something which we must continue.
When
i think about the politics of Europe in the 1930s, it is easy to see the
distinct polarisation of political opinion; from the growth of the labour
movement in Britain, to the rise of fascism in Germany, Italy and Spain, to the
Stalinism in Russia. We can draw parallels with the Europe of the 1930s and the
Europe of 2013. Mass unemployment, mass poverty and inequality are all rising
across the continent. Unfortunately so is fascism. Right now the Golden Dawn
Fascist party hold 18 seats in the Greek parliament, fascism is on the edge of
Europe. Not only is it there, but it is on our doorsteps. The Scottish Defence
League are gaining a footing within a section of the Scottish working class.
Like
our comrades from the 1930s, it is our role to provide an alternative, a real
socialist alternative. An alternative which condemns the racist ideologies that
scapegoat ethnic minorities and immigrants for issues like unemployment and
poverty. An alternative that provides a counter culture, a counter ideology
against the capitalist thinking that penetrates the working class, pushing reactionary
views like racism and sexism. I see this alternative as the campaign for
radical Scottish independence, a grassroots campaign which fights against
austerity, against imperialism and for a better, more equal Scotland. A
Scotland who’s foreign policy sides with the oppressed and never the oppressor.
Scottish
independence provides us a unique opportunity to put progressive ideas back on
the table, so we can shape the Scotland that we want to see. From disarming
nuclear weapons that sit in our waters, to reclaiming the welfare state;
providing for those in need, to solidarity with those oppressed people across
the world in campaigning against foreign war and implementing a full boycott,
divestment and sanctions on the apartheid and racist state of Israel. We can
demand equal rights for immigrants and asylum seekers, demand full equality for
women and LGBTQ persons.
The
austerity measures implaced on Greece could determine the state of austerity on
the rest of the world. In Spain in the 1930s internationalists had to fight
against fasicm, in 2013 we have to fight against austerity. On the 11th of June
George Papandreou the ex Prime Minister of Greece, the man that pushed such
destructive austerity measures is coming to Edinburgh. The Greek community have
called out asking for people to mobilize, we must respond to this, showing our
solidarity with the Greek people. This is an opportunity where we can again
show our vision for Scotland’s future. By taking to the streets when Papandreou
comes, we can show that an independent Scotland will be active in the European
labour movement, pushing working class unity on a global level.
The
Radical Independence Campaign has a vision for the future. A vision where the
working class aren’t punished through austerity measures. A vision where wealth
isn’t in the hands of the global elite, but is redistributed to all. A vision
where equality is established and maintained. A vision where international
solidarity is at the heart of our foreign policy.
Another
Scotland is Possible. And we must ensure that this becomes a reality.
