Solidaridad Obrera (periodical)

Solidaridad Obrera ("Workers' Solidarity" in Spanish) is a historical and significant periodical associated with the Confederación Nacional del Trabajo (CNT), the National Confederation of Labour, a Spanish anarcho-syndicalist trade union. It served as the primary news organ and voice of the CNT for many years, reflecting the union's ideology and activities.

The periodical's history is closely intertwined with the history of the CNT and the Spanish labor movement. It was first published in 1907 in Barcelona, a stronghold of anarcho-syndicalism in Spain. Solidaridad Obrera quickly gained a large readership among workers and became a vital tool for disseminating the CNT's ideas about workers' rights, direct action, and social revolution.

Throughout its history, Solidaridad Obrera faced periods of suppression and censorship, particularly during dictatorships and periods of political instability in Spain. The paper was often banned, and its editors and contributors were subject to persecution. Despite these challenges, it continued to be published, either clandestinely or in exile, and played a critical role in maintaining the CNT's presence and influence.

Following the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), and the subsequent Franco dictatorship, Solidaridad Obrera was forced underground. The CNT itself was outlawed, and many of its members were imprisoned or exiled. The periodical continued to be published in exile, primarily in France, and served as a voice for the exiled CNT and a source of information about the situation in Spain.

After the death of Franco in 1975 and the subsequent transition to democracy in Spain, the CNT was legalized, and Solidaridad Obrera resumed publication openly. It continues to be published today, though its influence is less pronounced than it was in the early 20th century. The periodical remains a significant source of information on anarcho-syndicalism, labor issues, and social movements in Spain. It provides a historical perspective on the Spanish labor movement and promotes the CNT's contemporary activities.