The Spanish Civil War may have ended more than sixty years ago, but a rally on the streets of the Spanish capital has shown that for some, the war goes on.
Shocking salute: supporters of former Spanish dictator General Francisco Franco give a fascist salute during a rally commemorating the 37th anniversary of the dictator's death. Photo: Getty Images.
Shockingly, a young girl joined the mostly elderly and middle-aged far-right supporters giving fascist salutes at a rally to mark the 37th anniversary of the death of authoritarian leader General Franco.
Shocking salute: a young supporter of former Spanish dictator General Francisco Franco gives a fascist salute during a rally commemorating the 37th anniversary of the dictator's death. Photo: Getty Images.
After winning the Civil War in 1939 with the help of Nazi bombers, Franco ruled Spain until his death in 1975.
Shocking salute: supporters of former Spanish dictator General Francisco Franco give a fascist salute during a rally commemorating the 37th anniversary of the dictator's death. Photo: AFP.
The dictator made the Catalan language illegal, suppressed dissident views and imprisoned enemies in concentration camps.
Shocking salute: supporters of former Spanish dictator General Francisco Franco give a fascist salute during a rally commemorating the 37th anniversary of the dictator's death. Photo: Getty Images.
The rally in Madrid coincided with elections in Catalonia, where separatists failed in their bid for an independence referendum despite winning the overall vote.
Far-right kitsch: merchandise sold during a rally commemorating the 37th anniversary of Franco's death. Photo: Getty Images.
While a majority of Catalans voted in favour of a referendum, the vote was split between four different separist parties, making a vote on secession unlikely in the short term.
Falange anniversary: members of the far-right Falange movement raise their hands for a fascist salute during a demonstration rally marking the 76th anniversary of the death of Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera, the founder of the Spanish right-wing movement. Photo: AFP
On Catalonia's national day in September, 1.5 million people marched at a huge pro-independence rally in Catalan capital Barcelona, the largest such demonstration since the 1970s.
Soccer supporters at FC Barcelona sings independence songs and wave Catalan flags during matches, a practise that was illegal during General Franco's dictatorship.
Across Catalonia the Catalan flag is draped over balconies, while the Spanish national flag is rarely seen.
Source: 'Adelaide Now'
Kind of makes it sounds as if all of Spain is pro Franco, which is not true. Sadly, groups of fascists are still around ALL over the world, but they do not respresent the majority.
It´s nice to see that the catalan people, or most of them, are against fascism, just like the rest of Spain, but calling the rest of Spain and it´s people fascists, it´s simply not fair.
Kind of makes it sounds as if all of Spain is pro Franco, which is not true. Sadly, groups of fascists are still around ALL over the world, but they do not respresent the majority.
It´s nice to see that the catalan people, or most of them, are against fascism, just like the rest of Spain, but calling the rest of Spain and it´s people fascists, it´s simply not fair.
Dear Brian:
You're right that groups of fascists are over the world. The question is: are they tolerated in their states?. In Spain they are not only tolerated but encouraged and the King was appointed by Franco, a Fascist Dictator. This is the question.
In fact the ruling party, PP, was founded by 7 Fascists ministers. This is an unique case over the world.
Anyway this article is not from Help Catalonia but from "Adelaide Now" so their opinion is neutral we think.
Help Catalonia
A LOT of spanish people are fascists!