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the olive press - November 29 - December 12, 2012
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OUTSPOKEN: CNT-AIT demonstrators during Spain’s general strike on November 14 (‘Today like yesterday we’re still in the streets’ reads the banner) and campaign posters, old (far left) and new (below right)
people in rural Spain were living on little more than roots and boiled greens. It led to more unrest and more outbreaks of violence between workers, the police and army. Few places typify the unrest more than that of Casas Viejas in inland rural Cadiz, then, and still, one of Spain’s poorest regions. Now better known as Benalup (a new name given it in an attempt to escape its violent past) it was here that the local CNT branch led a uprising in January 1933, which they believed was part of a nationwide call for revolution. The local militants took the town easily, taking control of the town hall and locking the mayor and local priest in the church, while they waited for orders, which were due to analejas (below) was shot dead come from Barcelona. Tragically though, they had jumped Manuel Cardinas (above) on the gun. A provisional call for a national uprising by the CNT in Barcelona was called off ory’s workforce, and ended at the last minute... but the message CNT mobilising 80% of Catadid not spread as far as this sleepy extile industry, with most firms backwater of Cadiz. rced to close. While the uprising in Casas Viejas h the government reacted to had initially been peaceful, the muches, arresting some 3,000, in feared Guardia Civil was sent from employers agreed to enter into nearby Vejer to put it down. h the CNT. They did this swiftly and violently, killsult, worker’s rights were iming over 20 local peasants in the prosignificantly. For example, an cess, including women and children ur-day law was introduced and and many who had not even taken part regarded as one of the most ‘to teach the rest a lesson’. ful working class actions in hisIt was a big blow for the CNT and caused much outrage around the country. There were other similar incidents in the following years and it was perhaps La Canadiense is little surprise that by the start of the Civil War in 1936 the CNT counted two egarded as one of million members. e most successful Indeed, it is said that this huge mass of people was the reason that Franco working class was not able to seize the country in his actions in history coup immediately. “There is absolutely no doubt that the initial response to Franco’s coup he Spanish Constitution was was determined by the fact that the orn in 1931, there was good CNT and its anarchist ideas held sway o be optimistic, with workers among large sections of the working g living standards would imclass,” explains Irish anarchist Eddie nd land reform would finally be Conlon. ed. “There was no waiting around for govInstitute of Agrarian Reform, ernment ministers to act, the workers as set up to do just that, did took control.” age this and so conditions led Anarchism continued to grow in part revolt. thanks to Mujeres Libres (Free Womports at the time showed many
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trades unions, the UGT and the en), the anarchist women’s organisaCCOO workers’ union, CNT memtion. It counted 30,000 members durbers too were out in their droves ing the war, with its female members and later labelled the strike ‘a opening centres for unmarried mothsuccess’. ers and prostitutes. Today, rather than agrarian reAs the war rolled on, the peasants form, the anarchists are fighting succeeded in taking over councils of against Rajoy’s workers, with anarchists cuts to the pubeventually making up the lic sector and majority of the anti-FasTheir work still has labour reforms cist forces in revolution– which essenary committees throughan influence in tially make it out the nation. In 1936 four CNT mem- giving the millions of easier to fire workers. bers actually entered the national government ‘voiceless’ citizens a The CNT and the CGT are in Madrid, showing that platform now small anti-Fascism could finally unions who get an official voice, if it do not have wanted it. an influence at an indusBut, in the end, the working classes trial level, but their work is did not take complete control of the still doubtless having an country – even though the CNT was in influence in giving the mila prime position to do so. lions of ‘voiceless’ citizens The reasons for this are a highly dea platform and fighting for bated topic. causes such as the environment Some claim they were afraid of taking and equal opportunities. the reins, and that a movement formed Anarchist ideas are still extremely popby illiterate peasants was not capable ular in some parts of Spain, particuof ruling the country. larly in Barcelona, where groups often Others – including those within the gather to squat buildings. movement – say the anarchists simply These squats, which are always at risk reached their limitations. of being closed down by the authori“We did not have a concrete proties, frequently double as social cengramme,” admitted a member of anartres where events and workshops are chist group Friends of Durruti later. “We held to share ideas. Some even offer had no idea where we were going. free internet. “We had lyricism aplenty but when all Female anarchists have also been is said and done we did not know what a campaigning to do with our masses of workers or force over the last how to give effect to the popular effufew decades. sion.” At Eskalera Karakola, a feminist Alive today squat in the LaThat said, the anarchist ideal and its vapies area of basic concepts are still alive today havMadrid which ing kept going throughout Franco’s rebegan operating gime, as of course did the UGT. in 1996, women In 1979 the CNT split into two factions organise activi– the CNT/AIT and the CGT (Confederaties to fight raccion General del Trabajo), which was ism and domestic later to became the third largest union violence, helping in Spain. in particular feAside from the obvious attraction to its male immigrants cause by students – its striking red and to Spain. black flags stand out a mile – it still has Perhaps it is much to say on modern Spanish socismaller-scale misety. sions, like this, At every demonstration, members of that best suit the the CNT and FAI anarchist unions are anarchism movepresent, with a huge banner (pictured ment...helping above) leading one section of the genpeople overcome eral strike in Madrid earlier this month. difficulty at a local Although organised by Spain’s biggest level and listening
to individuals’ tales in order to get things done. It certainly seems that this sort of direct action is extremely relevant in Spain’s current climate, where half of all young people are unemployed, and up to 500 people are being evicted every day because they cannot pay their mortgages. Let’s just hope it’s the positive not the negative aspects of anarchism that manage to dictate.