Turning a page of history
With the disappearance of our friend and comrade Charlie Gelderen a page of history is symbolically turned.
None of the comrades who participated in the founding Congress of the Fourth International is with us any more.
No one could deny that throughout his long life Charlie respected the commitment that he made in September 1938: he has made a valuable contribution to the construction of our movement, not only in South Africa but in Britain and elsewhere – and always with a lucid enthusiasm.
In this respect the category of professional revolutionary – which so many bureaucrats have discredited – is not absolutely obsolete.
Half century
For my part I still remember the meeting in London a number of years ago to mark Charlie’s half century of militant involvement in our movement. Compared with him I felt young, having at that time a mere 37 years of membership.
Finally on behalf of all the Italian comrades I can promise that we will not forget the example that he gave in helping the formation of our movement in Italy during the Second World War.
Here is proof that one can still do something for the revolutionary movement while being obliged to be a soldier of an imperialist army.
Yes, a page of history has been turned. But the history of the Fourth International and of the revolutionary movement will continue!