Anarchist Alcaniz

**Alcaniz** was a town in Aragon taken over by the anarchists in revolutionary Spain. It had a population of 8000 people.

## Revolution

According to Augustin Souchy, there "were few fascists in Alcaniz, and there was no fighting. Immediately after July 19th, the workers agreed on expropriation of the property of the fascists and collectivisation of the land. The CNT and the FAI were in the majority. There was no resistance to collectivisation. The UGT, very weak at the beginning, grew stronger in the following months. The CNT did not accept members who did not accept collectivisation, so the individualists joined the UGT. UGT membership reached 1,600. The CNT had 1,700 members. In addition, there were four FAI groups and approximately 300 members in the Libertarian Youth." At some point, the town priests fled.

## Decision-making

The town council was split between the CNT and UGT, who both held 6 seats each. Whilst the president was a CNT.

## Economy

The CNT and UGT collectivisted housing, transportation and the 2 town cinemas. Charges for electricity and water were abolished. The old church was converted into a warehouse storing supplies such as shoes, soap, meats, fabric and housing some offices. These items could be obtained by vouchers issued by the anarchists. Each member of the towns collective had a membership card and book of vouchers, being able to receive what they request, which was then recorded by the CNT. Every Sunday the towns farmers received a free meal and 5 pesetas for "petty vices" like tobacco, which was sometimes provided for free. New olive oil presses were purchases, as were 3 new flour mills and an hydroelectric power generator. The town also received 5 new cows and built a barn for them, with the town previously having 0.

However, capitalism was preserved to a degree as most stores in the town were not collectivised and were still operated by small merchants.

## Media and education

The main newspaper in the town was run by Manuel Salas, an anarchist associated with Libertarian Youth. The newspaper was called Culture and Action, and was published twice a week. A new school was also set up for all children in the town.

## Internment camp

The FAI ran an internment camp for fascists and political prisoners in the town. Augustin Souchy describes it as follows "The country is a desert. There is not a single tree for many kilometres around. A number of buildings have been erected at the foot of a hill. Dormitories, inspection rooms, stables... Everything was built by the prisoners with the assistance of the guards. The FAI directs this camp. It is not a prison. It is not maintained like a garrison. There is no forced labour. Nothing is enclosed and there is no limitation of movement. The prisoners move about freely. Their guards share their life with them. They live the same as the prisoners. They sleep on similar cots in the primitive rooms. They address each other informally, as equals. Prisoners and guards are comrades. Neither wears a uniform. They cannot be distinguished by their external appearance... All the prisoners are permitted to receive visits from their families every Sunday. They are given passes for the camp and surrounding fields. There is no sexual torture that so many prisoners experience in other countries. This is an achievement not to be found anywhere else in the world. The anarchists of the FAI are the first to introduce this humane reform."

In an interview with a prisoner, one said to Augustin Souchy: "I am a prisoner. My name is Benedicto Valles. I belonged to the Accion Popular (Popular Action, a fascist party). That is why I was arrested.” “How long have you been here?” “Three months.” He was not working. He was not feeling well. “Did the doctor give you permission not to work today?” “There is no doctor. The comrade guard gave me permission not to work.” “Can you receive visitors?” “Yes. My fiance comes to see me every Sunday.” “Can you speak to her alone?” “Of course. Then we go for a walk together, in the fields. “Without a guard?” “Without a guard.”

The prison maintained a farm and worked to expand irrigation network.

## Notable residents

* Augustin Souchy
* Manuel Salas

## Sources

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Augustin Souchy - With the Peasants of Aragon "Alcaniz": https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/augustin-souchy-with-the-peasants-of-aragon