Lessons from International Brigades recognised

Scott Sutherland

#STUC24 Congress backed a call from Aberdeen Trades Union Council to campaign to have the story of the International Brigade included in the curriculum of schools, universities and colleges.

It will also ensure a focus on the International Brigades during 2026, the 90th anniversary of the Spanish Civil War.

Scott Sutherland, moving the motion highlighted that the fight against fascism from the 1930s has the lessons for us today.

“The brigades stood and fought with the Spanish people against the nazis and the rise of poisonous fascism.

“A strong message of working class resistance was sent to France, Hitler and Mussolini.”

Scott quoted the late Bob Cooney, an international brigader from Aberdeen, who said, “The lessons learned on the battlefields of Spain helped to defeat Hitler, Mussolini and fascism.”

Scott applauded the International Brigade Memorial Trust for keeping up the profile of the Spanish Civil War and the fight against fascism. He called on Congress to do the same.

Rededication of plaque to brave Aberdeen International Brigaders

Dozens of people gathered in Aberdeen for the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the north-east men who fought fascism in the Spanish civil war.

A total of 19 men from the area volunteered with the International Brigades during the conflict in the 1930s.

The plaque was previously on display in the Aberdeen Music Hall, but was removed during the recent £9million renovation work.

But now, thanks to lobbying by, amongst others, Tommy Campbell of the ATUC and the International Brigade Memorial Trust, it has gained pride of place again in front of a crowd including representatives of the International Bridge Memorial Trust and the families of those who went to fight.

The north-east men were among 2,500 volunteers from the British Isles who joined the voluntary effort to contest fascist General Franco.

Invite to attend the rededication service of the Aberdeen International Brigaders' plaque

XV International Brigade Aberdeen Commemoration Committee

you are invited to attend a SERVICE FOR THE RE-DEDICATION OF THE ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL ROLL OF HONOUR MEMORIAL PLAQUE DEDICATED TO THE BRAVE ABERDONIAN INTERNATIONAL BRIGADERS WHO FOUGHT AGAINST FASCISM DURING THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR.

ABERDEEN MUSIC HALL

198 UNION STREET

SATURDAY 25^TH JANUARY 2020

11.30AM – 1.00PM

AlL SUPPORTERS OF the international brigadeRs are welcome to attend.

THIS RE-DEDICATION  SERVICE is SPONSORED BY ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL, ABERDEEN PERFORMING ARTS , UNITE THE UNION AND THE ABERDEEN TRADES UNION COUNCIL.

Click here to book tickets. 

NO PASARAN !!!!!

 

ATUC 150th Anniversary Year Diary - See what we did in our 150th year

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT OUR 150th ANNIVERSARY YEAR DIARY

• January 24 - Film "Belonging" at Belmont Cinema
• January 28 - Sunday - Holocaust Memorial Day, Castlegate
• March 3 - Protest Conservative Conference, AECC 0800 hours - 1730 hours
• March 7 - STUC Event - Aberdeen City Council's Civic Reception to launch our 150th anniversary celebrations
• March 8 - International Women's Day rally at the Castlegate at 1830
• March 22 - Public talk on Palestinian Child Prisoners 
• April 16-18 - STUC Congress in Aviemore
• April 17 - Lewis Macdonald leads a debate in Holyrood on the ATUC 150th anniversary
• April 28 - International Workers Memorial Day (memorial held at Persley Gardens) 
• May 5 - Mayday March and Rally
• May 9 -  An introduction to economics for trade union and community activists
• May 19 - Spring Clean of ATUC Offices and Cataloguing of Books and Artefacts
• May 26 - Grampian Pride 
• June 2 - ATUC stall and the Feein Market, Stonehaven
• June 14 - Vigil to remember Grenfell one year on
• July 10 - Rearranged Trade Union History talk by Jurgen Thomanek 
• July 14 - Trump's a Chump Protest 
• July 25 - A just transition for Aberdeen event
• 8th September - Doors Open Day at 22a Adelphi
• 28th September - Evening of celebration for the XV International Brigade Aberdeen
• November 9 - Aberdeenshire Council's Civic Reception
• November 24 - St Andrews Day March
• December 3 - Commemoration of John Maclean's release from Peterhead Jail
• December 13 - A history of political protest in Aberdeen - a talk by Andrew McGregor

Thanks to everyone who has worked to make our 150th anniversary such a special year and to all those who joined us to celebrate it.

EVENING TO HONOUR THE ABERDEEN INTERNATIONAL BRIGADERS 24 November

You are warmly invited to attend an evening to honour Aberdeen's International Brigaders on November 24, 2017 at 6.45pm in Aberdeen Town House Council Chambers.  

This will be followed by Music from 9pm at The Rusty Nail, 67 Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen.

The programme for the evening is as follows:

6.45pm Teas & Coffee

7pm Introduction by Tommy Campbell, Chair of Aberdeen 15th International Brigade Committee and welcome from the  Lord Provost

7.15 pm Presentation by Nina Londragan on the Aberdeen International Brigaders and their Connections to the First and Second World Wars as well as the Spanish Civil War followed by Question & Answers.

8pm Songs & Poems.

Please let Tommy Campbell know if you are planning to get along to either or both of these events.

Celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the formation of the International Brigades

All friends and supporters of the International Brigade Memorial Trust, the Morning Star and Aberdeen TUC are invited to attend an event to commemorate and honour the Aberdonian International Brigaders on the 80th anniversary of the formation of the International Brigades.

The event will be held in the Town House, Broad Street , Aberdeen on Friday 25th November at 7pm to 9pm.

There will be presentations from relatives of the International Brigaders as follows --

Bob Cooney’s nephew Councillor Neil Cooney – an outline of the anti-fascist struggle in Aberdeen that lead up to the nineteen local men going to defend democracy and fight Fascism in Spain

John Londragan’s grand-daughter Nina Londragan – an outline of the lives of the five Aberdonians who died defending democracy and fighting Fascism on the battlefields of Spain

In addition Davy Kettyles , a senior Organiser with Unite in Ireland will give an outline on the role of the Irish International Brigaders who formed the Connolly Column in Spain many of whom also sacrificed their lives defending democracy and fighting Fascism in Spain.

There will also be poetry and songs throughout the evening.

This event is sponsored by the Aberdeen Morning Star Supports Group and the affiliated Unions of Aberdeen Trades Union Council.

All friends and supporters of the International Brigade Memorial Trust, the Morning Star and Aberdeen TUC are very welcome to attend.

¡NO PASARÁN!

Invite to an evening of music, poetry and good craic on Sat 28th May

International Brigades remembered at the AGM weekend in Aberdeen

The 2015 AGM of the International Brigade Memorial Trust was a huge success as delegates from across the UK, Ireland, Germany amongst other countries came together in Aberdeen.

Unveiling of the plaque to
Bob Cooney by Neil Cooney

The weekend saw the unveiling of two plaques, one to Bob Cooney and the other to John Londragan who gives his name to the ATUC premises, John Londragan House, both of whom fought in Spain.

Brian Carroll of the ATUC said, "Congratulations to Tommy Campbell and all those involved in hosting the International Brigade Memorial Trust AGM in Aberdeen.

"We also owe a big thank you to Aberdeen City Council for hosting a civic reception for AGM delegates on the Friday evening and for providing the venues for all the events that took place over the weekend.

"Aberdeen saw many of its citizens go to Spain to fight fascism during the Spanish Civil War, some of whom died during the conflict. The bloodstained flag which became a shroud for two of the fallen, is displayed in the ATUC office.

Remembering those who fought and died in the Spanish Civil War - A weekend of activities and the IBMT AGM

The International Brigade Memorial Trust AGM will be held this year in Aberdeen on Saturday 17th October. As well as the AGM itself, a range of events and activities have been organised over the weekend.

Click here for more information on the IBMT website

Tommy Campbell, of Unite who has had a key role in organising the event said, "All are welcome to come along to all the events apart from AGM itself on Saturday afternoon which is for IBMT members only.

"Also, don't forget march on Sunday from St Nicholas Kirk to the Castlegate when all unions, branches, community, anti fascist, affiliated groups and comrades will be led by a pipe band to the Castlegate for a farewell to our comrades and friends who came to Aberdeen for this event.

"It should be a great weekend and hope you can make it!"

Antifascistas Exhibition in the Central Library, Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen from 1st Sept - 31st October 2015

The International Brigade Memorial Trust’s “Antifascistas” exhibition will be held at the Central Library, Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen AB25 1GW from 1st September – 31st October 2015 Mon-Sat 9am-5pm (8pm on Mon and Weds).

Get along if you can to find out and learn about a fascinating and interesting piece of history and the role of British volunteers in the Spanish Civil war and the struggle against fascism. Many volunteers from Aberdeen were amongst those who fought for freedom in Spain..