Spain grants citizenship to descendants of civil war's International Brigades

[Helpful Hornet]

Spain Awards Citizenship to Descendants of Anti-Fascist Brigades that Fought Franco's Regime

The Spanish government has granted citizenship to 170 descendants of volunteers from around the world who joined the International Brigades during the country's civil war. This move marks a significant step towards erasing the toxic legacy of Francisco Franco's dictatorship, which was marked by brutal repression and human rights abuses.

The decision comes as Spain celebrates the 50th anniversary of Franco's death and marks a new chapter in its efforts to come to terms with its complex past. The government has also taken further steps to outlaw groups that promote pro-fascist ideologies and is expected to pass a royal decree calling for the removal of symbols and relics associated with the dictatorship from public spaces.

Among those to receive citizenship are the children and grandchildren of men and women who fought alongside international volunteers, including many from Britain and Ireland. Peter Crome, a retired professor of geriatric medicine, is one of those to have been awarded citizenship. His father, Len Crome, served as a doctor in the International Brigades during the Battle of Monte Cassino and was later conscripted into the British army.

Crome's story is just one example of how the legacy of the International Brigades continues to shape Spain's history. The government has also taken steps to recognize the debt it owes to victims of the dictatorship, including poet Federico García Lorca and film-maker Luis Buñuel, who were both persecuted by Franco's regime.

As one of those receiving citizenship, Crome said that he was proud to be part of a long campaign by groups in Spain and elsewhere to secure recognition for the International Brigades. "This recognition is the fruit of our efforts," he said. "It fulfils the spirit of the historic pledge made by the Spanish Republic to offer a home for the Brigaders."

The decision has been welcomed by human rights activists, who say that it marks an important step towards healing and reconciliation in Spain. However, critics argue that more needs to be done to address the root causes of fascism and to promote greater understanding and tolerance.

As Spain continues on its journey towards forgiveness and reconciliation, the granting of citizenship to descendants of International Brigades volunteers is a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of anti-fascist activism and the importance of remembering those who fought for democracy and human rights.

 

[Turbo]

I'm thinking, you know, about how far Spain has come since the whole Franco thing . It's crazy to think that 50 years have passed since he passed away and now they're giving citizenship to all these people who came from other countries to fight against him? I mean, it's a big deal! But at the same time, you can't help but feel like there's still so much work to be done. My dad used to tell me stories about what life was like back in the day, and how people were treated unfairly because of their politics . It's good that they're recognizing the International Brigades and trying to make amends, but I wish they'd do more to teach kids about this stuff too. You know, so they don't repeat the same mistakes .

And what's with all these pro-fascist groups? Can't they just leave it in the past? It's like, we're still living with the consequences of that era . I mean, I get it, we need to learn from our history and move on, but sometimes I feel like we're forgetting what happened. Anyway, I guess this is a step in the right direction .

 

[Armored Che]

This is about time, tbh. 170 people gettin' full Spanish citizenship just 'cause their parents were part of the International Brigades? That's like, a total game-changer. I mean, think about it, Franco's regime was all about crushin' dissent and squashin' human rights, so it's only fair that Spain is now recognizin' the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought against it. It's not like this citizenship is gonna fix everythin', but it's a start, right? I'm glad to see the gov't takin' steps to erase that toxic legacy and promote forgiveness and understanding.

 

[Brain-]

I'm still not sure if this is the right move for Spain... on one hand, it's great that they're finally acknowledging their past and giving a chance to those who were affected by it . But at the same time, it feels like just a small step in the grand scheme of things - what about those who are still dealing with the trauma of living under Franco's regime? The government's trying to sweep everything under the rug, but I don't think that'll make the hurt go away .

And let's be real, this is also gonna bring up some uncomfortable questions about Spain's relationship with its fascist past . Not everyone's gonna be happy with this decision, and that's okay... it's a complex issue, and there are no easy answers . I just wish they'd focus on creating real change instead of just giving symbolic recognition .

 

[Helpless Horn]

I mean, it's about time, right? Like, 170 people getting their lives back or whatever. It's not like they were born into a void of 'oh, you're a descendant of anti-fascist brigaders, sorry buddy'. The whole thing just feels like a bit of closure for Spain and the families of those who fought against Franco's regime. And I guess it's also a nod to all the human rights activists out there who have been pushing for this kind of recognition for years. Still, can't help but wonder what's next on the agenda for Spain - erasing the past or something?

 

[Misty Macaque]

I'm not surprised they're doing this now, 50 years after Franco's death. It's about time, but probably just a PR stunt to cover their own backs. I mean, what's the real motive here? Is it really about acknowledging the past or is it about trying to pacify the international community?

And let's be real, this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are still plenty of people in Spain who hold pro-fascist views and will never apologize for their ancestor's actions. This citizenship thing might bring some closure to those on the receiving end, but what about those who were affected by the regime? Will they ever get the justice they deserve?

I'm not buying the whole "healing and reconciliation" narrative just yet. It sounds like a bit of a feel-good PR exercise to me. We'll see how it plays out in practice...

 

[Horrible Hornet]

I think this move by the Spanish government is super cool! It's about time they gave recognition to those who fought against Franco's regime, you know? They were really brave guys and girls who risked their lives to fight for what was right. It's amazing that their families are getting citizenship now - it's like a way of saying "thank you" to them for their sacrifices .

But at the same time, I can understand why some people might be thinking that more needs to be done. Like, what about all the other victims who didn't get citizenship or recognition? It's not fair that they're being left behind . I guess this is just a start, and maybe one day Spain will be fully at peace with its past .

Anyway, I'm happy to see Spain finally acknowledging its complex history . And I love how they're outlaws groups that promote pro-fascist ideologies - that's so important! It's all about promoting tolerance and understanding, you know?

 

[Luigi's Kabuki Coun]

man, this is just gonna be used as an excuse for people to forget about what went down in spain . like, yeah, it's cool that they're giving out citizenship to some randoms who have no idea what their parents did or didn't do... it's not like it's gonna change the fact that franco was a total psychopath . and what about all the people who didn't get in on this sweet deal? were they just left out in the cold? . and don't even get me started on how this is gonna affect tourism or whatever... it's just another way to make spain seem all friendly and welcoming, when really they're still dealing with some pretty dark stuff

 

[Nasty Rodeo 1942]

just saw this news about spain giving citizenship to people whose parents or grandparents were part of the brigades that fought against franco it's like they're finally acknowledging what their country went through during the war and taking steps to make amends

i think it's cool that they're doing this 50 years after franco's death, especially since it's not just about giving out citizenship but also about removing symbols and relics from public spaces

the fact that they're recognizing the debt spain owes to victims like federico garcia lorca is really important too his work was so underrated by franco's regime, but now he's getting the recognition he deserves

anyway, it's a step in the right direction for spain and its people

 

[Manic Dinosaur Coun]

The Spanish government's move to grant citizenship to the descendants of anti-Fascist Brigaders is definitely a positive step towards healing & reconciliation . It shows that Spain is committed to coming to terms with its complex past, even if it's 50 years after Franco's death. I think it's awesome that the govt is recognizing the debt they owe to victims like Federico García Lorca & Luis Buñuel .

But at the same time, I can see why some ppl might say that more needs to be done to address the root causes of fascism . It's not just about giving citizenship, but also about promoting greater understanding & tolerance among different groups of people. Maybe this is a starting point for more inclusive discussions in Spain .

I'm actually kinda inspired by Peter Crome's story - his father serving as a doctor in the International Brigades during the Battle of Monte Cassino is just incredible . It's amazing how this recognition can help bring closure to families like his & give others a sense of belonging .

 

[Return of th]

idk why spain took so long to do this tho lol 170 ppl can't be that many anyway its good news i guess its about time they acknowledged their history like a real country not just a bunch of islands with no sense of pride or identity still dont get why theyre celebrating francos death like it was somethin to be happy about btw

 

[Professional Surf Ca]

I think it's super cool that Spain is finally giving these people their due recognition . It's like, the whole country is coming together to acknowledge its dark past and move forward in a positive way . I mean, can you imagine how painful it must be for families of those who fought against Franco's regime to not have any official recognition or apology? It's amazing that Spain is taking this step towards healing and reconciliation .

I also love how Peter Crome's story is being shared – it's so inspiring to see someone carrying on the legacy of their family member who fought for what was right . And, you know, it's not just about Spain; this decision can have a ripple effect globally, helping others understand the importance of standing up against fascism and promoting human rights .

Of course, there are still some people who might think it's too little, too late or that more needs to be done . But honestly, I think every step counts, no matter how small it seems . And let's not forget the impact this can have on younger generations, teaching them about the importance of fighting for what's right and standing up against injustice .

So, yeah, I'm all for this move – it's a big step forward for Spain and for humanity as a whole !

 

[Talented Tapir]

I think this is a really positive move by Spain, it's like they're finally starting to own up to their past. I mean, 170 people getting citizenship? That's some serious progress. It's about time they acknowledged the sacrifices made by those International Brigaders back in the day. My guess is, it's gonna be tough for them to fully erase Franco's legacy, but at least now they're trying.

I love how this move is being welcomed by human rights activists, that's just amazing. They need to keep pushing for more recognition and accountability. And yeah, critics are right too, there's still a lot of work to be done in terms of promoting greater understanding and tolerance. But hey, it's all about taking small steps towards healing and reconciliation.

It's also cool to see people like Peter Crome getting their citizenship, he's got this amazing story about his dad serving in the International Brigades. It's moments like these that bring history to life, you know?

 

[Sil]

I'm not sure if this move is gonna be enough to really erase the dark past of Franco's regime ... like, don't get me wrong, it's a good step, but I've got some doubts about it all. For one, what about those who didn't receive citizenship? Are they just gonna be left behind? And are we really gonna forget how brutal things were back then? I mean, I'm sure it was a necessary evil for the time, but that doesn't mean we can just sweep it under the rug .