Letter from ALBA: Resist!
Dear friends and comrades,
We live in interesting times. Hundreds of thousands of women and men across the country and around the world are engaging in acts of resistance against oppression and bigotry, and demonstrating for democracy and human rights. The Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives stands with this broad progressive movement. Following in the footsteps of those who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Spain to make Madrid the tomb of fascism, ALBA is intensifying its efforts to support and inspire those who struggle for a better world today.
The past two years have seen the largest migration crisis since World War II. With this year’s ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism, we are providing tangible aid to the brave Spanish internationalists of Proactiva Open Arms who voluntarily patrol the treacherous waters of the Mediterranean to rescue thousands of refugees fleeing war and tyranny. In September 2015, after seeing media coverage of drowned children on the beaches of Lesbos, Proactiva’s director Oscar Camps traveled to the island with three members of the company to see if they could help. A year and a half later, Camps and his team have expanded their operation, rescuing hundreds of people every day. Their work—protecting refugees and highlighting the injustices they face—has never been more important. ALBA is proud to honor this group.
With your continued support, we are expanding our efforts to link the struggles of the past with the current fight against social and economic inequality, bigotry, and racism. In addition to our annual event in New York on April 16, we are continuing our work with high school teachers around the country. They, too, are facing difficult challenges as they are trying to help their students understand the need for citizen activism.
This is not a time to despair. All of us, in our own way, have a responsibility to oppose the forces of reaction. We have our work cut out for us and together we will face the challenges ahead. With optimism and resolve,
Marina Garde
Executive Director
Fraser Ottanelli, Chair of the Board of Governors
P.S. Please support our common effort as best as you can. The struggle continues.
