Sep 12 – National Day Speech By Richard Buttigieg – SDGG Chairman
This is the text of a speech delivered by the SDGG’s Chairman, Richard Buttigieg, during the National Day political rally:
Good afternoon Gibraltar
It is breathtaking to see you all standing together, in our red and white colours, showing the world who we are as a people and how strongly we feel about our right to self-determination.
Because let us immediately be clear on something. The United Kingdom may have voted to exit the European Union, some may seek to take advantage of the Brexit Gibraltar has been pushed into, but let no one be under any false illusions. None of this is going to change the fact that Gibraltar is OUR home; Gibraltar is OUR land; Gibraltar is OUR Nation. And absolutely no one will decide the future of Gibraltar except the Gibraltarians.
Over the coming months and maybe years we will need to be very vigilant to ensure that whatever is decided about Brexit does not have a negative impact on Gibraltar. The SDGG will do all that it humbly can to ensure that the friends and allies we have continue to fight our corner vigorously, and we will also not shy away from pointing out those who may not do so. But together, as a united community, we must continuously show the world that Gibraltar belongs to the Gibraltarians. It is not for anyone to give away or others to claim.
And let us not forget that, for the first time ever, the international Court of Arbitration of Sport has stated that there is in fact no legitimate claim over Gibraltar. So we may not be winning our football matches (for now) but we have certainly scored a winning goal with that decision!
Spain objected to Gibraltar becoming a member of UEFA. They lost that argument. Spain objected to Gibraltar becoming a member of FIFA. They lost again. And if they ever have the courage to test their sovereignty claim in the International Courts, they will lose again!
Because the right to self determination of a people is unquestionable. And we are a people forged from the sacrifices of those before us who endured so much so that we can now stand here today to proclaim our identity as British Gibraltarians who proudly call this wonderful Rock behind us our home.
Our home it has been for over three centuries and our home it will be forever!
We owe it to those who fought before us, but we owe it especially to our children, to never surrender and to continue the defence of our sovereignty. Because when I see all these little children here today, I want them to be able to grow up proudly, in OUR Gibraltar; our BRITISH Gibraltar; our FREE Gibraltar.
Thank you all for coming and let us all enjoy the day!
{fcomment}
