Mac Pap "Monumental" Campaign: 1998 Programs

"Monumental Evening" to Honour "Mac Pap" Veterans
working TV #94, RT: 27:30, January 09, 1998

Ceremony At BC Legislature
Honours "Mac Pap" Anti-fascists
working TV #131, RT: 27:30, December 11,1998

Background:
The Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion

Justice delayed is justice denied, and the veterans of Canada's Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion have been denied justice for 60 years now by the Canadian government.

In 1936 they voluntered to fight fascism during the Spanish Civil War. They were among the 50,000 volunteers from 53 different countries, including Canada and the United States, who formed the legendary "International Brigades". The Brigades came to the aid of the new democratic Spanish republic, in its struggle to resist a military takeover by right-wing generals, led by the infamous General Franco.

From Canada, nearly 1600 members of the Mackenzie Papineau Battalion, or the Mac Paps for short, volunteered to fight Franco's fascists during the Spanish Civil War between 1936 and 1938. Many had been On to Ottawa Trekkers, most were labour or student activists. Nearly half died in the Spanish struggle; they lie buried where they fell on the battlefields of Spain.

They predicted that if the virus of fascism wasn't stopped in Spain, it would quickly spread. They were right, of course, and a year after they left Spain all of Canada was fighting fascism. But the Canadian government did not honour their sacrifice. In fact, upon their return from Spain, they were treated more like criminals than heroes, even though most volunteered for the Canadian forces to continue the fight against fascism they had begun in Spain.

Today, 60 years later, 51 of 53 countries have honoured its brave volunteer defenders of democracy. In 1996, the Spanish government invited surviving veterns back to Spain, and honoured them with Spanish citizenship. Only Canada and the United States have denied them the recognition they deserve. But here in BC, at least, that's about to change....

The Campaign for a Monument, and Veterans' Rights

BC labour activists are determined that the MacPaps should be honoured appropriately. A campaign is underway to raise money for a monument honouring the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion on the grounds of the BC Legislature.

Less than 40 MacPaps are alive across the country. The campaign is in high gear, while some are still with us, to honour these brave men and women....Canada's forgotten war heroes.

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Click here for Eugene Plawiuk's definitive Spanish Civil War website.

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"Monumental Evening"
to Honour "Mac Pap" Veterans

working TV #94, RT: 27:30, January 09, 1998
The Monumental Evening program takes you to a fundraiser held November 8 1997, just before Remembrance Day at the Canadian Auto Workers' union hall in New Westminster. It was one of a series of events and activities organized to raise awareness and money for a MacPap monument. Guests at the evening included Mac Pap veterans, keynote speaker Bob Jackson (On to Ottawa trekker), Joe Barrett and Tom Kozar from the Monument Committeee, and Svend Robinson, NDP MP.

After songs from Jenny Emery and Tom Hawkins, Svend Robinson outlined the bill introduced in the House of Commons by Nelson Riis, NDP MP for Kamloops, to provide the MacPaps with veterans benefits. The bill was tabled in the House on December 10, 1997. The vote on the bill was held in the Spring of 1998, and it was defeated. Liberal and Reform MPs once again denied the Mac Paps veterans status.

Find out more about the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion.

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Ceremony At BC Legislature
Honours "Mac Pap" Anti-fascists

working TV #131, RT: 27:30, December 11,1998
Produced with the Generous Assistance of the
British Columbia Teachers' Federation (BCTF)


view the video online

Justice Delayed is Justice Denied, and finally this month after over 60 years, "Mac Pap" or Mackenzie-Papineau Battalian veterans of the Spanish Civil war were honoured by the province of British Columbia. B.C. Premier Glen Clark and the Spanish Consul spoke at ceremonies inside the B.C. Legislature's Rotunda were a plaque honouring the Mac Paps was unveiled. Outside on the legislature grounds, a second plaque was dedicated marking the site where a bronze monument which will be erected in the spring of 1999.

	B.C. Premier Glen Clark, speaking in the rotunda of the B.C. Legislature, in front of the tri-colour flag of the Spanish Republic: "On behalf of all the people of British Columbia, 60 years too late, we honour those . . . who served in this most noble of endeavours"
Plaque on the grounds of the B.C. Legislature, at the site of the bronze monument to be erected in spring of 1999. "No Pasaran", in large text at the bottom means "They Will Not Pass". This was the slogan of Spanish anti-fascists and their International comrades during the Spanish Civil War.

The ceremony at the Legislature is the result of nearly two years of grass-roots campaigning and fundraising to honour the Mac Paps. Volunteers acros the province have raised more than $45,000.00 thus far. They have sold "Monumental" memorabilia such as T-Shirts, Spanish Republican flags, and home-made jams and jellies. They have organized several "Monumental Events" ranging from a "Fiesta" in Victoria at the Union Centre featuring music and Spanish food; to a "Monumental" motorcyle ride from Vancouver to Squamish co-sponsored by the BC Coalition of Motorcyclists; to a Billy Bragg concert at the University of Victoria, organized by the Student Union.

Another $25,000.00 is needed to complete the monument at the Legislature. You can help and your contribution is tax deductible. Contact Tom Kozar, c/o Association of Veterans and Friends of the MacKenzie-Papineau Battalion @ 604 432 9762

	Spanish Consul Joaquin Ayala: "If it was a crime for Canadians to sacrifice their lives to fight for the institutions of freedom, peace, order, then indeed they were guilty."
Mockup of 2 metre high "Spirit of Democracy" figure, by B.C. artist Jack Harmon, which will be cast in bronze and placed at Monument site, on grounds of B.C. Legislature.

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Ceremony At BC Legislature
Honours "Mac Pap" Anti-fascists
working TV #131, RT: 27:30, December 11,1998