We’ve Unmasked Francoism

One of the characteristics of the movement for independence in Catalonia (in which being able to hold a referendum so people can express their opinion has been fundamental, as this is the basis of democracy) has been its unmasking of Francoism. This creates plenty of unrest because it really is frightening, but now we know who our adversary is.

We have three pieces of evidence. First, when the conflict began to gain steam, to solve it the PP1 sent us a Guardia Civil Colonel who had been tried for possibly committing torture in the Basque Country. With someone like that in charge, what happened on October 1st makes perfect sense. Second, the spokesman for the PP, Pablo Casado, threatened that President Puigdemont could end up like Companys.2 It’s terrible. Companys, someone of great courage and dignity, who was arrested by the Gestapo and turned over to Franco to be shot. Telling a democratically elected president that he could end up like Companys is miserable, and it betrays the fascist character of the speaker. Nevertheless, there have been no consequences. Third, a party has called for elections and has placed the opposition in prison. That’s what dictatorships do, not serious, democratic countries.

If you stop and think about it, I’m in favour of the Constitution, too. But I’m in favour of Chapter 3, which says that pensions will be sufficient and that there will be dignified housing and work for all. Everyone who applauds the PP and the shouts of “go and get ’em” doesn’t see that the PP is steering us towards a danger that could bring down the entire state. This is a serious situation. I would’ve expected them to be a little more intelligent. They’ve shown that they’re Francoists, and that “arrasa y vencerás”: raze and you will vanquish.

That’s where we find ourselves now, and the European institutions look the other way. But we’ll win because we’re right, and because we’re peaceful and nonviolent, so we’re unstoppable. We’ve learnt a good deal over the years. I never expected there to be so many Gandhis in Catalonia; this has been a form of empowerment that will give us plenty of strength to build a new country.

I want to be a free person in a free country, who interacts with other countries with liberty, justice and generosity. We have no choice but to defend freedom, and to denounce violence and injustice.