Sep 11 - Queen And Evacuees Honoured On National Day
This year’s National Day was dedicated to the Queen, the longest reigning monarch, and the Evacuation Generation, while thousands of people gathered in Casemates Square dressed in red and white to celebrate their national identity.
During yesterday’s political rally, the Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said National Day celebrations will remain political and become bigger each year while the GSLP/Liberal Alliance is in power.
Mr Picardo said: “Today is not just a day for a celebration; although we celebrate too. Today is the day that we assert our right to determine our future for ourselves.
“And we celebrate the anniversary of doing so the first time on the 10th September 1967.
“We remind the world that we are the only masters of our Rock’s destiny. And we remind the world that we will always have that right.”
SDGG Chairman Richard Buttigieg said it was truly amazing to see people celebrating the Gibraltarian identity and their right to self-determination.
He added: “It has been said before and it has been said again, Gibraltar belongs to the Gibraltarians, it is only us who will choose our future, and no one will impose their wishes upon us.”
Speaking after the rally, Minister Joe Bossano who founded the National Day celebrations when he was in power, said: “The one thing that is special about National Day, is that although we started it as a government, the response from the people from day one was such that it caught us all by surprise. In effect, almost by accident, we had touched upon an emotional nerve which matters to every Gibraltarian of every generation.”
Speaking of his experience during the evacuation, he said that they never lost their identity as Gibraltarians, as it was the first true test of their national identity.
Leader of the Opposition, Daniel Feetham, said National Day is a proud day in which we celebrate our national identity as a people. He said on this day, it is important for his party to show solidarity with the government.
This year’s National Day political rally had a number of MPs visit from the UK, including members from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Gibraltar, and Gibraltar MEPs Julia Reed and Clare Moody.
UKIP MEP Ms Reed paraphrased the words from the Chief Ministers son, and wished Gibraltar a ‘Happy Birthday’. She said: “As far as my party is concerned, as long as people from Gibraltar wish to remain British, that’s what we believe too, because we love Gibraltar too. We will fight for the right for the people of Gibraltar.”
Ian Paisley, Democratic Unionist Party MP for North Antrim, said: “The Gibraltarian evacuees were a cherished community in Ballymena. They came to Northern Ireland, they settled and played a very important part.
“They left that distinguishing feature, that spirit of determination that I think we have and share with them.”
Jack Lopresti, Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Gibraltar, and Conservative MP for Filton and Bradley Stroke said he was pleased that the situation at the border, while difficult, has improved. He added: “We are the champions for the people in Gibraltar in Parliament.”
Andrew Rosindell, Conservative MP for Romford said British MPs have to stand with Gibraltar against bullying from Madrid.
He added: “I passionately believe that Gibraltar is British, the people of this Rock are some of the most wonderful, loyal people I have met in my life. And that Britain has to stand by Gibraltar just as its people have stood by Britain for many years, and that there is an injustice going on. We have a Spanish bully that is attempting to bludgeon Gibraltar and give up its freedom and right to self-determination.”
Angus MacNeil, SNP MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar has shown support for Gibraltar, and identifies with the current situation in Gibraltar in terms of gaining its self-determination.
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