B.C. Honours "Mac Pap"
Anti-Fascist Heroes
wtv #131 RT: 27.30 mins
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British Columbia Honours Anti-Facsist Volunteers
working TV #131, RT: 27:30,
first broadcast scheduled for December 11 1998
Produced with the Generous Assistance of the
British Columbia Teachers' Federation (BCTF)
Justice Delayed is Justice Denied, and finally this month ( in December 1998 ) 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, 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 "Monumental Evening" at the Canadian Auto Workers hall in New Westminster; to 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: "the government of Canada still allows the precise wording of an antiquated law to tarnish their bravery by announcing that the MacKenzie-Papineau were guilty of a crime . . . If it was a crime for Canadians to sacrifice their lives to fight for democracy . . . 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.
working TV #131 December 11 1998 � Slim Evans 1998
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