A SCOTS memorial in memory of brave volunteers who fought fascism during the Spanish Civil War has been vandalised with graffiti.
The memorial stone in Duchess Park in Motherwell was found scrawled with pro-fascist graffiti this morning.
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The memorial is dedicated to volunteers from the Lanarkshire area who fought against Francisco Franco’s fascist government in the Spanish Civil War, between 1936 and 1939.
Graffiti on the memorial included dictator Franco’s name in red paint and ‘No Pasaran’ – a term meaning ‘They Shall Not Pass’ in reference to Spanish resistance to Franco’s regime – was covered up in white paint.
The word “vermin” could also be seen sprayed on the ground and fascist symbols were spray painted on the memorial.
This has come about before annual war commemorations take place in just a few weeks time.
The graffiti sparked outrage as photos of the sickening vandalism emerged on social media.
Gillian McKay, Scottish Green MSP for Central Scotland, said that the vandalism on the memorial is “concerning” and will be in touch with the park to see what support they need.
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In a tweet, she said: “This graffiti appearing weeks before annual commemorations is particularly callous. The right-wing nature of it is concerning.
“I’ll shortly be in touch with the committee at the park to see what support they need. If anyone has information about the vandalism get in touch.”
Historian Ewan Gibbs also took to twitter to share his disgust and said: “This disgusting attack on the memorial for those that left Lanarkshire’s mining villages and industrial towns to fight fascism in Spain looks to be the work of local twenty first century fascists.
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“I hope the monument can be restored.”
However, the graffiti was soon gone after a passerby spotted it and cleaned the memorial.
In a post on Twitter, one man wrote: “Credit to a friend of mine who stopped by while out on a bike ride with his son this morning to give it a good clean. No Pasaran.”
The man’s thoughtful efforts were commended by dozens of other users.
One person wrote: “I’d like to buy that man a pint.”
Another commented: ” Well done.”
A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire council said: “We utterly condemn this appalling and cowardly act of vandalism.
“We would urge anyone with any information to contact Police Scotland immediately.”
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