Miguel García (anarchist)
Encyclopedia
Miguel García was a Spanish anarchist
activist, forger, and writer, and was a political prisoner
under the regime of Francisco Franco
. Born in Barcelona
, García worked first as a newspaper seller, then a printer. He was a member of the Confederación Nacional del Trabajo
(CNT), the largest anarchist organization in Spain and one of its major trade unions at the time.
He fought in the Anarchist militias and then the Republican
army during the Spanish Civil War
, and was imprisoned at the war's end. During the Second World War, he was part of a resistance network smuggling Jews, escaping Allied airmen and resistance fighters from France into Spain. His speciality was forgery, having been a printer; he also received training from the British secret service
.
After 1945 he was part of the continuing resistance against Franco's regime as part of the "Tallion Group." He was arrested in 1949 and sentenced to death. In 1952 his sentence was commuted to twenty years imprisonment.
In 1969, on his release, he was invited to move to London by Scottish Anarchist Stuart Christie
who he had met in prison. He then worked with Christie and Albert Meltzer
in the Anarchist Black Cross
(ABC) working to support Anarchist prisoners, mainly in Spain. He made lecture tours and wrote pamphlets to oppose the Francoist system. In 1972 his autobiography, Franco's prisoner, was published recounting his experiences of resistance and imprisonment.
Miguel García was a significant figure in twentieth century anarchism
, not only for his role in the Spanish Anarchist resistance, but for reaching out to and inspiring a new generation of activists.
Anarchism in Spain
Anarchism has historically gained more support and influence in Spain than anywhere else, especially before Francisco Franco's victory in the Spanish Civil War of 1936–1939....
activist, forger, and writer, and was a political prisoner
Political prisoner
According to the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, a political prisoner is ‘someone who is in prison because they have opposed or criticized the government of their own country’....
under the regime of Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco y Bahamonde was a Spanish general, dictator and head of state of Spain from October 1936 , and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in November, 1975...
. Born in Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
, García worked first as a newspaper seller, then a printer. He was a member of the Confederación Nacional del Trabajo
Confederación Nacional del Trabajo
The Confederación Nacional del Trabajo is a Spanish confederation of anarcho-syndicalist labor unions affiliated with the International Workers Association . When working with the latter group it is also known as CNT-AIT...
(CNT), the largest anarchist organization in Spain and one of its major trade unions at the time.
He fought in the Anarchist militias and then the Republican
Second Spanish Republic
The Second Spanish Republic was the government of Spain between April 14 1931, and its destruction by a military rebellion, led by General Francisco Franco....
army during the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
, and was imprisoned at the war's end. During the Second World War, he was part of a resistance network smuggling Jews, escaping Allied airmen and resistance fighters from France into Spain. His speciality was forgery, having been a printer; he also received training from the British secret service
Secret service
A secret service describes a government agency, or the activities of a government agency, concerned with the gathering of intelligence data. The tasks and powers of a secret service can vary greatly from one country to another. For instance, a country may establish a secret service which has some...
.
After 1945 he was part of the continuing resistance against Franco's regime as part of the "Tallion Group." He was arrested in 1949 and sentenced to death. In 1952 his sentence was commuted to twenty years imprisonment.
In 1969, on his release, he was invited to move to London by Scottish Anarchist Stuart Christie
Stuart Christie
Stuart Christie is a Scottish anarchist writer and publisher. Christie is best known for being arrested as an 18-year old while carrying explosives to assassinate the Spanish dictator General Franco. He was later alleged to be a member of the Angry Brigade, but was acquitted of related charges...
who he had met in prison. He then worked with Christie and Albert Meltzer
Albert Meltzer
Albert Meltzer was an anarcho-communist activist and writer.-Early life:Meltzer was born in London, and attracted to anarchism at the age of fifteen as a direct result of taking boxing lessons . The Labour MP for Edmonton, Edith Summerskill was virulently anti-boxing and his school governors at...
in the Anarchist Black Cross
Anarchist Black Cross
The Anarchist Black Cross is an anarchist politics support organization. The group is notable for its efforts at providing prisoners with political literature, but it also organises material and legal support for class struggle prisoners worldwide...
(ABC) working to support Anarchist prisoners, mainly in Spain. He made lecture tours and wrote pamphlets to oppose the Francoist system. In 1972 his autobiography, Franco's prisoner, was published recounting his experiences of resistance and imprisonment.
Miguel García was a significant figure in twentieth century anarchism
Anarchism
Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations...
, not only for his role in the Spanish Anarchist resistance, but for reaching out to and inspiring a new generation of activists.
External links
- Miguel Garcia articles at the Kate Sharpley Library