Spanish writer calls for Oliver Law Street
Oliver Law behind the lines (Tamiment Library, NYU, ALBA PHOTO #36_Box 01, f. #14)
In an op-ed for today’s issue of Público, the writer Félix Población, inspired by a resolution adopted in June by the Friends and Family of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade (FFALB), argues it is high time that Madrid names a street after Oliver Law, the Brigade’s African American commander, who died in the summer of 1937 at the Battle of Brunete–a gesture, Población writes, that would honor all the international volunteers who fought for Spanish democracy. For Población, the fact that many streets are still named after Franco or his generals, while
not one of the streets and squares of Madrid carries the name of one of those fighters whose contribution in the fall of 1936, as part of the International Brigades, was decisive in preventing the conquest by the Francoist army of the Republican capital, shows to what extent Spain’s transition to democracy, as well as successive Socialist governments, have left those who came from their countries to risk their lives in the defense of freedom, without proper reparation and tribute.
Que esto esté ocurriendo a las alturas de nuestro vigente periodo democrático y que hasta el momento ni una sola de las calles y plazas de Madrid lleve el nombre de uno de aquellos luchadores, componentes de las Brigadas Internacionales, que durante el otoño de 1936 contribuyeron decisivamente a que la capital de la República no fuera conquistada por el ejército franquista, denota hasta qué punto la Transición primero, y los sucesivos gobiernos socialistas después, han dejado sin la justa reparación y el oportuno y diligente homenaje debidos en vida a quienes se jugaron la vida viniendo a combatir desde sus respectivos países en defensa de la libertad.
More here.
Thanks to Clarence Kallin I found out that Oliver Law was my grandfather and I would like to learn all I can about the war, the cause and him.
This comment was left over 2 years ago but I am researching Oliver Law and would be interested in communicating.Regards Please respond to Anthony Email. scw1936@gmail.com