SOCIALISTS, peace campaigners and anti-fascists gathered on Saturday at the national memorial in Cardiff’s Alexandra Gardens to commemorate the International Brigades.

Former Labour MP Beth Winter, Communist Party of Britain general secretary Rob Griffiths and International Brigade Memorial Trust Wales secretary David McKnight spoke at the event.

Mr McKnight highlighted how men and women who went to fight in Spain came from around the world, including Palestine. “Today we should remember them, too,” he said.

The fact that memorials to the brigade have been regularly attacked, vandalised and destroyed in Britain, Spain and Eastern Europe underlines the importance of remembering those who went to fight in the Spanish civil war, he said.
 
“As we approach next year’s Senedd elections here in Wales, we see fascists on the march and on the ballot, just as we have seen them gaining support across Europe and around the world,” Mr McKnight said. “We must continue to be vigilant and to be organised in the fight against fascism and militarism.”