Recharging the socialist batteries
by Lynda WalkerThis was not just a walk from France to Spain but a coming together of like-minded people, honouring the memorials that existed and indeed putting in place a new plaque at Castell de Sant Ferran. On this journey were the partners, daughters, sons, grandsons, granddaughters and comrades of the 15th International Brigade. They carried with them the memories of their relatives and friends.
For me the highlight of the event was when I did a reading of Bob Clark’s at the French-Spanish border: “The dawn was breaking when we reached the summit . . .” I was so proud to do this reading. Other highlights included meeting old friends and making new ones, especially those that we met from Germany on the Sunday: they reflected strength, determination, and comradeship; getting to know Jack Edwards, who travelled with us from London and back, a man no doubt who encapsulates the spirit of many of the International Brigaders; and reaching the height of part of the Pyrenees with Jess and Neil O’Riordan, grandchildren of Michael. It is impossible to explain this kind of experience, but suffice it to say it was inspirational. I temporarily joined Côr Cochion Caerdydd (Cardiff Reds’ Choir), and many songs were sung.
The Jim Gralton Weekend incorporated theory and practice, with some well-informed political talks on the Saturday and Sunday, followed by a march down the country lane of Effernagh and an open-air meeting at the site of Pearse-Connolly Hall. Declan Bree concluded the proceedings, which included speeches from Éamonn McCann, a Sinn Féin councillor, and a member of the Rossport Five. The multinational company Shell want to run their pipelines through Mayo but have been fought off by the Rossport Five, whose land they want to take. The Rossport Five held the day; they represent the fight that James Connolly and Jimmy Gralton and all of us are part of, a fight that will be a long-drawn-out process in the interest of humankind. “Stone monuments were built in the memory of men in the past. This is not the kind of monument Jim Gralton wanted, but a world in which human beings can have security, be free from hunger and misery, with sufficient leisure time to study art and music; a world wherein there will be no wars, famine of depressions in the midst of plenty.”