¡No Pasaran!: Writings from the Spanish Civil War

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This is an early work by Paz, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1990, and shows his early support of the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War. At home they were the most militant opponent of Mosley’s blackshirts, and had strong representation among steelworkers, miners, and unemployed workers in Lanarkshire. A confidential report on BUF matters notes that by 27 October membership had increased by a little over 2,000, with these predominately noted in East End branches. His attention was first attracted by on of these cards mentioning a "concentration camp", a term which, even if it doesn't means by itself extermination, was already used in nazi Germany.

Volunteering for the International Brigade, especially, was far more common in the industrial heartlands – the coal mines of South Wales, London, Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow. The phrase was brought to the public consciousness again following action in December 1943 by French-Canadian officer Paul Triquet of the Royal 22 e Regiment; his action included his use of Nivelle's phrase "to win a key objective at Ortona, Italy, in the face of overwhelming German opposition. A brilliant insight in to what war means to the average person - the tragedies and sadness, but also the resilience of human nature to muddle through somehow.Shamefully, the USSR had been the only major power to give any real support to Spain during Franco's coup). They certainly had politics and Airdrie in common, but we don’t know for certain if they shared a family connection too. Demonstrators flee police during a protest in Cable Street, east London, against a proposed fascist march. The Internationale” as they went, these brave souls were cheered as they marched through the streets past the people of Madrid.

Young people, old people, all shouting 'No Pasaran' and 'One two three four five - we want Mosley, dead or alive'," he said.

The dignity and propaganda-like attitude of this militiawoman bring you back to a difficult but interesting period in European history. He likely joined the International Brigades through the Communist Party, travelled to Spain, and was seconded by them to the Soccoro Rojo. Next Wednesday marks the 70th anniversary of the day that Jews, communists, trade unionists, Labour party members, Irish Catholic dockers and the people of the East End of London united in defiance of Sir Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists and refused to let them march through their streets.