Chairperson of the Glenties Municipal District of Donegal County Council, Cllr Micheal Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig, today raised the Catalan flag above the County Council Office in Dungloe.
The flag was raised alongside Miceál O Baoighill as a show of solidarity with the Catalan Independence movement, and ahead of the Catalan referendum tomorrow.
Catalonia is a region in north-eastern Spain which has its own language and culture, however despite this it is not officially recognised as an official nation-state.
Tomorrow’s referendum has been subject to controversy in Spain, with the BBC reporting that police are currently attempting to block voting stations in an attempt to quash the ballot which was deemed illegal by Spain’s Constitutional Court.
Speaking to Donegal Daily, Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig says that he felt it was important to put forth a motion within the Council to support the vote for independence due to parallels between Catalonia and Ireland.
“I was proud to raise the flag today along with Miceál O Baoighill. It was raised following a motion I put to the Council. We as a Council need to support the vote for independence for Catalonia tomorrow, and how solidarity with the movement.
“I think it’s important that we show international solidarity, considering our own country that is still under British occupation with the six counties, and as we strive towards unification we should show solidarity with the progressive independence movements throughout the world.
“In a historical sense, there is a local context due to Meenmore man Peadar O’Donnell’s involvement in the Spanish Civil War.”
The Spanish Civil War took place between 1936 and 1939 between right-wing Nationalists and left-wing Republicans amid political and social turmoil.
“Socialist Republical Peadar O’Donnell was in Barcelona and helped to organise international troops to go to protect the Republic.
“We have a long history of internationalism in the Rosses area, with a lot of West Donegal fighters pledging to the movement, such as Hugh Bonner who went out to fight against fascism during the Spanish Civil War.
“As we see fascism and right-wing politics rising and getting stronger it’s important for socialists to show international solidarity and organise against the rise of fascism, need that be here in Ireland or across Europe.”
“I’d like to thank fellow Councillors who supported the motion.”
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