We are here to assert that we have the right to self determination. And only we can decide the destiny of this Rock and no 300-year old treaty and no threats will ever intimidate us. So in case anybody needs reminding, we will never concede one grain of sand, one breath of our air, or one drop of our waters. Not one drop!" - Meaning and context.">
Reyes, Brian (11 September 2012), "Red, White and Proud", Gibraltar Chronicle retrieved: 22 March 2014
• Speech to crowds in Casemates Square on Gibraltar National Day 2012.

This is the Rock of the Gibraltarians. This is our land. This is our home. This is our Rock. Only we can decide its future. And we are not here to ask anyone for the right to self determination. We are here to assert that we have the right to self determination. And only we can decide the destiny of this Rock and no 300-year old treaty and no threats will ever intimidate us. So in case anybody needs reminding, we will never concede one grain of sand, one breath of our air, or one drop of our waters. Not one drop!

— Fabian Picardo

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "This is the Rock of the Gibraltarians. This is our land. This is our home. This is our Rock. Only we can decide its future. And we are not here to ask anyone for the right to self determination. We are here to assert that we have the right to self determination. And only we can decide the destiny of this Rock and no 300-year old treaty and no threats will ever intimidate us. So in case anybody needs reminding, we will never concede one grain of sand, one breath of our air, or one drop of our waters. Not one drop!" in the context of "Reyes, Brian (11 September 2012), "Red, White and Proud", Gibraltar Chronicle retrieved: 22 March 2014
• Speech to crowds in Casemates Square on Gibraltar National Day 2012." to mean that wisdom is timeless.

Source: Wikiquote: "Fabian Picardo" (Quotes) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
Fabian Picardo

About Fabian Picardo

Fabian Picardo (born 18 February 1972) is a Gibraltarian politician and barrister. In April 2011 he was elected as leader of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party and in December 2011 he became Chief Minister of Gibraltar after his party won the 2011 Gibraltarian general election.