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| Fiona Napier |
Speech from Fiona Napier, ATUC Secretary, welcoming those gathered and giving some background to John Maclean's visit to Aberdeen 100 years ago.
"Thank you
for being here this morning!
"We’re here today to speak about a great man, a
true working class hero – Glasgow schoolteacher and revolutionary socialist –
John Maclean. He was a man who campaigned all his life against the
injustices he saw in society - imperialist wars, poverty, inadequate housing –
a fight that saw him labelled ‘the most dangerous man in Britain’ by the
British intelligence services. Dangerous, because he challenged injustice
wherever he saw it, and refused to be silenced, and dangerous because he inspired
others to action.
"He publicly
– and ceaselessly - opposed the First World War, encouraging working class men
to defy conscription. Three times MacLean stood in court, accused
of sedition and offences against the Defence of The Realm Act, and
on his 3rd appearance he was sentenced to 5 years and sent to
Peterhead jail. There he was subjected to brutal treatment, including a harsh
regime of force-feeding. His health never recovered from the damage done to him
in jail, and he died far too soon, aged only 44.
"When he was
released from Peterhead prison on 3rd 1918, 100 years ago to the day, he began
his train journey back to Glasgow, stopping for a time in Aberdeen, where he
was greeted by comrades at the station and joined a reception organised for him
by ATUC. 100 years later, we are proud to be here today, commemorating the life
and works of this courageous man. John Maclean died too young, but his legacy
lives on. The injustices that he fought against all his life are still with us
today, and we’re here to fight them"
