AS one who has been organising Glencoe and other commemorative rallies since the early 70s, and witnessing the declining numbers and general political activity in Scotland since Covid, it was refreshing to read of Alan Riach’s memorial to the victims of Glencoe in Sunday’s National, as well as his ongoing articles about Scotland’s neglected past, present and future. All of his works against the ongoing cultural imperialism deserves more recognition.
It was also depressing to read of yet another stark reminder of poverty amidst plenty. We are not short of statues, memorials and constant reminders to those whose wealth flies in the face of constant and inherited poverty. As well as the many Loyalist statues in our cities and village squares, we now have yet another, of the Jelly Bean, being considered by the Scottish Government of all people. It does not take much imagination to think of all the memorials an SNP government should be promoting.
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The lack of support from the SNP, Scottish and local government for a memorial to one of our finest and internationally recognised citizens, John Maclean, who died of poverty on St Andrew’s Day, and who dared to stand up for a Scottish Workers Republic several years before the SNP was born, is disappointing to say the least.
The residual Soviet Union commemorated John’s birth in September 1979 with a commemorative stamp. Russia today still has a street named after him. Many of those opposed to erecting a cairn to John Maclean did not shy away from the cameras when it was finally erected in Shawbridge Square, There is not even a plaque recognising his Soviet Consul, next to the High Court in South Portland Street. The Consul was not recognised by the Imperial British Government, who refused to allow Royal Mail deliveries.
Last year we failed to raise a crowdfunder for the great man. I was not just disappointed by the response, but shocked at the opposition from some quarters. We only managed to raise a third of the amount required and will soon be announcing another crowdfunder shortly to find the rest, before his anniversary and rally on November 30th this year. We had lots of small donations, as expected, from those in relative poverty, but no big bucks from celebrities, luvvies and sports personalities etc, who claim to be radicals for independence.
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John Maclean refused to travel illegally to Moscow thorough Finland and Sweden, demanding full recognition from the British government. Others such as Willie Gallagher, who became a fine Communist Party MP in Fife, travelled illegally to speak to Lenin and, in the face of an earlier agreement to form a Scottish Republican Communist Party, helped to form the Communist Party of Great Britain.
One visitor to Maclean’s sick bed in Paisley said that Willie regretted telling lies about Maclean. Sir Basil Thompson, head of security in Scotland, instructed his agents to spread the word that Maclean was insane and paranoid about those paid watch him 24/7. All this, after he was was sacked from his teaching post and blacklisted, suffered several jail sentences, including hard labour and character assassination.
Edinburgh-born James Connolly has two statues in Ireland and one in the USA. Even freedom fighter Geronimo has a statue in the US of A. Is it too much to ask for a statue, at least, for a Scottish and international freedom fighter? How many are willing to make such a small financial sacrifice, whilst the coffers of the rich and banditti are being filled and tributes paid? There is always money and tributes for wars as the only way of settling things. Maclean said that “the only war worth fighting for is the class war and goddam all other wars”. He also said “All Hail the Scottish Workers Republic”. Dare we?
Donald Anderson
Glasgow
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