Make your front popular
Mark Perryman
Seventy
years ago in 1936 the Spanish Republic were joined by the International
Brigade, thousands anti-fascist volunteers from around the world, in the
battle for land and freedom. Their foe, Franco and his Fascists were backed by
Hitler and Mussolini while the British and other governments shamefully hid
behind so-called 'Non aggression' to starve the Republicans of supplies and
munitions.
The battle cry of the Republic was No Pasaran , 'They shall not pass', the
heroism, solidarity and sacrifice in the face of Franco's overwhelming force
has inspired anti-fascists ever since.
To mark the 70th anniversary Philosophy Football, the self-styled 'sporting
outfitters of distinction', have produced a celebratory range of T-shirts
inspired by the banners of the Republic and their allies. For too many on the
left this episode of extraordinary bravery has been the subject of bitter
point-scoring which is both tiresome and disrespectful. Whatever our views and
loyalties from the comfort of today, these people gave their lives in the
fight against fascism.
The four shirts depict different forces united in Spain's battle. The flag of
the Left Party of Catalonia (pictured), the Catalonians like the Galicians and
Basques recognised the need to unite behind the Republic against Franco. The
banner of the Tom Mann Centuria, formed by British volunteers in Barcelona
this unit went on to become the basis of the British Battalion of the
International Brigade. Tom Mann was a militant trade unionist and founder of
the Communist Party of Great Britain. The banner of the POUM militia, the unit
with which George Orwell famously served. And the banner of the
anarcho-syndicalist CNT-FAI, critics of the Popular Front government but
allies in the fight against fascism.
Superb designs, inspirational, to be worn with pride.
www.philosophyfootball.com
September 2006
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