TRADE unionists and anti-fascists will gather in Glasgow today to commemorate the International Brigaders from Scotland who fought against Franco’s fascists in the Spanish civil war.

The event, organised by Hope not Hate and the International Brigades Memorial Trust (IBMT), seeks to remember the 550 Scottish volunteers whose brave actions shaped local and international history and serve as a reminder that the left must be ever vigilant against the threat of fascism and racism.

Hope not Hate greater Glasgow secretary Rab O’Donnell welcomed support from major unions as well as the Morning Star and said that the volunteers “should not and will not be forgotten.”

Mr O’Donnell said that it was important that the legend of the volunteers is “passed down to future generations of the citizens of Glasgow and beyond.”

Speaking in support of the event, Scottish Secretary of the IBMT Mike Arnott said: “Our debt to their sacrifice and our pledge to uphold their legacy demands nothing less, especially in the build-up to the 80th anniversary of the start of the war next year.”

Mr Arnott, who will be speaking at the event today, called on towns and cities across Britain to commemorate the volunteers.

Unite regional officer Tommy Campbell, who will also speak, called on activists to “follow in their footsteps as we continue with the struggle against austerity and fascism here in Scotland and elsewhere in the world.”

Unison Scotland’s young member’s committee representative Ryan Boyle celebrated that the brigaders “offered practical solidarity to the Spanish people when the nations of Europe turned their back on the progressive republic.”

Fearing the spread of communism in Europe, the Conservative government chose to appease fascism and refused to aid the republican government.

Despite the British government actively preventing volunteers from going to Spain, many thousands left their homes and made the perilous journey.

They were joined by thousands of volunteers from across the world to fight alongside the Spanish people.

• The event takes place from 11.30am to 12.30pm and will be held at the statue of La Pasionaria near Clyde Street in Glasgow City Centre.
• There will be a social from 1-4pm with live music at Unison Glasgow City Branch, 84 Bell Street, G1 1LQ.