Solzhenitsyn — The rotten legacy of a Fascist

By Nikos Mottas.

It was August 3, 2008 when the “Patriarch” of anti-communism, Alexandr Solzhenitsyn, died. The writings of Solzhenitsyn became a major source of anti-Soviet hysteria and blatant slanders against the first socialist state. Even today, Solzhenitsyn's major work “The Gulag Archipelago” is, more or less, regarded as the anti-communist “bible” of the world's apologists of capitalism and anti-soviet propaganda. 

The supposed “honest” testimonies of Solzhenitsyn- which he was never able to prove- were used in the building of an anti-stalinist, anti-communist obsession which the West had so much need to base upon, especially after the end of WW2.

However, who was really this nobel prize-winning Russian and how much credibility do his anti-soviet fairy tales contain?

Black Lives Matter- but, not in Capitalism

COMMENTARY:

The recent murder of 37-year old African American Alton Sterling by police in Louisiana is another tragic episode in the long chain of racist crimes in the U.S. The United States of America- the metropolis of Capitalism- has a devastating tradition of racial discrimination. A tradition of human chattel slavery back in the 18^th and 19^th century, of lynchings and mob violence against African-Americans, of racial segregation and discrimination against black people in the post WW2 decades.

Racism is an inseparable element of the capitalist exploitative system; it is in the very nature of Capitalism to produce, promote and feed racism. After all, the exploitation of the working class by the capitalists becomes easier and more effective when there are divisions among workers. For that, racism consists a valuable tool of the capitalist establishment in creating disunity within workers. What is best for the exploitative system rather than a splitted working class, filled with racist poison?

Writing for TIME magazine, after the murder of Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, the former basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was correctly pointing out: “And, unless we want the Ferguson atrocity to also be swallowed and become nothing more than an intestinal irritant to history, we have to address the situation not just as another act of systemic racism, but as what else it is: class warfare” (TIME, 17 Aug. 2014).

An Unholy Alliance: The ties of Social Democracy and the 'New Left' with NATO and Fascists in Ukraine

The Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and its alliance with Ukrainian leftists supporting a pro-NATO course against Russia. 

Source: NewColdWar.org / Original Source: Junge Welt & [2].

An unholy alliance of leftists supporting a pro-NATO course against Russia, By Susann Witt-Stahl and Denis Koval, published in German in Junge Welt, June 25, 2016.

The Die Linke (Left Party)-affiliated Rosa Luxemburg Foundation wants to play it safe. It relies not on historical pro-Soviet or Marxist left traditions but instead promotes a “new left”. The foundation is named after a world-renowned icon of anti-capitalist movements whose identity is bound with communist and anti-imperialist ideas. But the members of the Foundation’s leadership recommend to the left a convergence with the ‘liberal imperialism’ of the global hegemon, the USA.

Understandably, this requires some political flexibility. Progressive forces should not plant themselves on one side or the other of competing imperialist powers, says the Facebook page Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung Ukraine. It demands that the “independent left” distance itself from the NATO-EU bloc, on the one hand, and from Russia on the other hand.

Neo-Nazis provoked chaos and violence in Sacramento- Multiple people stabbed and wounded

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA- At least ten people have been stabbed after clashes broke out during a rally outside State Capitol in Sacramento, California. The violence broke out between far-right activists from the Traditionalist Worker Party (TWP) and counter-protesters. The Traditionalist Worker Party members, often described as a neo-Nazi group who have links to white supremacy and far-right causes, showed up for a planned rally at the Sacramento Capitol, where they were met by activists from Antifa Sacramento counter-protest, local media report. 

The rally, organized by the TWP, was also attended by members of the Golden State Skinheads, Blood & Honor, National Socialist Movement and Ku Klux Klan. Sacramento Fire Department (SFD) said a total of seven patients were transported to nearby hospitals from the site of the incident, some of them in critical condition from stab wounds. They however didn’t specify which group the injured were from. 

Golden Dawn's neo-Nazis: Puppets of EU's Monopoly Capitalism

After the 'Brexit' victory in Britain, the Nazi-criminal party of 'Golden Dawn' issued a statement saluting "the brave decision of the British people to deny the ‘crows’ of Brussels and the financial oligarchy of Germany". However, once again, the Golden Dawn's Nazis contradict themselves. The contradiction is that the actual, publicly declared, position of the Nazi party is in favor of the EU; more specifically of Greece's membership in the Union.

Just a year ago, in an interview on the site bankingnews.gr, the leader of 'Golden Dawn' N.Michaloliakos had referred to a possible exit of Greece from the EU and the Eurozone as a "criminal mistake against the nation", adding that "Greece has no choice at the moment; for Greece there is only the Euro and under harsh conditions" (22/6/2015). Golden Dawn's 'Fuhrer' had expressed the same position four years ago, just before the 2012 national elections, speaking on ERT (Greece's Public Television). 

As a typical fascist party- which is actually the watchdog of the big Capital in Greece- Golden Dawn constantly lies to the people. In an interview given to a far-right blog on May 2014, the retired Army officer and current Golden Dawn MEP Giorgos Epitidios said: "I am in favor of the EU. Our country has the need to participate in international unions and organisations like the EU and NATO". What the Nazi Party's MEP said reflects the truth about Golden Dawn: It is a pro-imperialist, pro-capitalist party, despite it's delusive rhetoric.

For those who have not a clear idea what 'Golden Dawn' is, let us remind that:

Euro 2016: Nationalism and Fascism under the mask of Hooliganism

This year's UEFA European Championship, commonly known as Euro 2016, has been stained by the brutal violence and clashes between hooligans both inside and outside the stadiums. 

It is true that football (or 'soccer', for our american friends) has always been a privileged field for the development of hooliganism. It's mass, popular character, as well as the tension and passion that creates to fans has been the source of multiple violent outbreaks between overzealous supporters around the world.

Communist Youth of Greece (KNE): Statement on the decision of Athens Municipality to grant space for neo-Nazi gathering

In a statement issued today, the Communist Youth of Greece (KNE) condemns the decision of the Municipality of Athens to grant a city park ("Gendarmerie Grove"/Alsos Horofilakis) for a gathering by the neo-Nazi 'Golden Dawn' party's youth wing:

"The decision of the Municipality of Athens to grant space at "Gendamerie Grove" to Golden Dawn for the organisation of the "Festival of Greek Youth" legalizes it's criminal activity. They give space to the Nazis in order to pour their racist and fascist poison.

If the Golden Dawn's Nazis want to organise a gathering, let them go to one of their leader's 10 properties; he is the richest political party leader.

The positions of Golden Dawn are positions which support the interests of the rich oligarchy and for that they are hostile towards the young people of the poor families. Golden Dawn, like a mastiff, serves the rotten and corrupt capitalist system which tortures the majority for the enrichment of the few.

€600,000 for Hitler's political descendants: How the EU funds Neo-Nazi Parties

Here's another prove of how Imperialist institutions, instruments of the European bourgeoise, promote fascism and nazism. We republish here an article appeared on EurActiv (27 April 2016) which reveals that the EU gave 600,000 euros to the so-called 'Alliance for Peace and Freedom' (AFP)- member of which is the prosecuted for criminal activities Greek Neo-Nazi party of 'Golden Dawn'.

European Parliament funding of neo-Nazi conference rings alarm bells.

 By Daniel Mützel.

The far-right Alliance for Peace and Freedom (APF) party has received EU-funding to the tune of €600,000, highlighting the ease with which neo-fascist groups have access to European Parliament financing. EurActiv Germany reports.

“It is a terrible and disturbing state of affairs that we are helping to finance such activities,” Swedish MEP Marita Ulvskog told EurActiv.de, in relation to a financing scandal uncovered by the Expo Foundation. Expo, a Swedish anti-racism magazine, reported that the Parliament had granted €400,000 to a foundation linked to the APF and a further €197,625 in funding that will be used to organise a neo-Nazi meeting in Stockholm this summer.

The 1936 “Bloody May” in Greece

Left: Mother mourns her murdered son; Right: Workers rally in Thessaloniki.

The 1936 “Bloody May” in Greece.

By Nikos Mottas.

May 1936: A milestone in the history of the Greek working movement. The country was in the midst of unprecedented moments of militant upheaval. Large-scale strikes, began on April, gradually took the characteristics of peoples' revolt which had to face the barbarity of the fascist Metaxas government.

The center of the demonstrations was Thessaloniki where, since March, strikes in various sectors had been erupted due to the miserable conditions of labor. On April 29, the tobacco workers declared an indefinite strike demanding, among other things, better wages. Their mobilizations created a wave of solidarity and revolt across Greece. Until the Workers' Day of 1936, the strikes had been spread in other cities, from Serres to Volos and from Karditsa to Athens. By May 7^th, the strike had already spread in all over the country, with the participation of thousands of workers. The government of Premier Metaxas- a government of violence and terrorism- had one major aim: the dissolution of the strikes with any means.

Remembering Odessa: Memorial to be held on May 2 in honour of murdered anti-fascists

Two years ago, on May 2, 2014, at least 48 anti-fascists and trade unionists were murdered when neo-Nazi thugs attacked a protest encampment and set fire to the House of Trade Unions in Odessa, Ukraine. 

International activists back May 2 memorial in Odessa.

By Greg Butterfield, Workers World.

Republished from Red Star Over Donbass.

On May 2, 2014, at least 48 anti-fascists and trade unionists were killed when neo-Nazis attacked a protest encampment in Odessa, Ukraine, and set fire to the nearby House of Trade Unions. 

Hundreds of survivors were injured. Many of the victims were forced to flee the country. Others were arrested and put on trial, while the perpetrators walked free.

Greece's 'Black Anniversary': Announcement of KKE for the Military Coup of 21 April 1967

21 April 1967: Tanks parade in front of the Greek Parliament in Athens.

The 21st of April is a black anniversary for Greece. It was April 21, 1967 when a group of far-right army officers led by Brigadier General Pattakos and Colonels Papadopoulos and Makarezos seized power after a coup d'etat. In the early morning of that day, tanks were already marching in central streets of Athens while small mobile units of the army were arresting politicians, government officials and prominent figures who were regarded as left-wing sympathies. The military dictatorship (Junta) lasted seven years, from 1967 to 1974. 

KKE: Announcement for the military coup of April 21st.

Source: 902.gr / Translation: In Defense of Communism.

Today, 49 years after the military coup of April 21st 1967 we get taught, we honor the fighters, the victims of Junta. We honor the members and staff of KKE and KNE, all those who stood unbending in detention centers, in the EAT-ESA torture rooms, in prison and exile.

The military dictatorshop was supported by parts of the plutocracy, by centers of our country's bourgeoisie, by the USA, which is a proof that the bourgeoisie and its state can even support military and political coups in order to serve their interests, (to serve) the needs of the exploitative system.

The Communist Party of Ukraine expresses its strong protest against desecration of Soviet monuments

Communist Party of Ukraine, War Against Monuments.

Source: Solidnet.

The Communist Party of Ukraine notes that in a number of settlements of our country radical criminal nationalists, encouraged by the ruling Nationalistic-oligarchic regime that came to power after the unconstitutional coup in February 2014, started a war against monuments to a Soviet Soldiers, Partisans and Underground Fighters killed during World War II. 

This is contrary to the UN resolutions that condemn desecration of monuments to the fighters against fascism, contrary to the Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe, signed by most European countries, it is ignoring the dominant public opinion, attitudes of our citizens.

VIDEO: Golden Dawn's Neo-Nazi thugs attack TV crew in Piraeus

       

A Neo-Nazi wearing a Golden Dawn t-shirt attacks the crew of E TV channel during clashes in Piraeus. The attack occured during Golden Dawn members' clash with anti-fascist demonstrators- the Nazi Party had staged an anti-refugee gathering a few minutes earlier. 

Denunciation of Golden Dawn's fascist anti-refugee gathering in Piraeus

Source: 902.gr

Translation: In Defense of Communism.

The local organisation of KKE in Piraeus condemns the fiesta staged by Golden Dawn and calls the working class and the people of the area to reject the fascists's new preaching of hate.

Golden Dawn members gathered outside the Municipal Theatre of Piraeus shouting "against the islamization" of the country, while an anti-fascist rally had been scheduled to take place just on the opposite Korais square. There were clashes between the Neo-Nazis and anarchists and a man from Golden Dawn's block- holding an iron bar- attacked a tv crew. Despite the intervention of police he avoided arrest.

The KKE organisation of Piraeus issued an announcement in which, among others, it states (we underline the most interesting points):

Golden Dawn Neo-Nazis' admiration for Donald Trump

Special to In Defense of Communism.

The republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has gained some new fans on the other side of the Atlantic. His offensive, openly racist rhetoric seems to charm the Neo-Nazi thugs of 'Golden Dawn'. That explains why the websites of the Greek criminal-fascist organisation include articles praising Trump ("a patriot and a nice guy" as they call him) and his anti-immigration, anti-muslim language. 

Commenting on Trump, Golden Dawn MP Panagiotaros said during a party's web discussion: "The latest thing he (Trump) said is "it is better to live one day as a lion than a hundred days as a sheep". And when they told him that these were the words of Mussolini, he replied "I don't care"... The guy doesn't mince his words". The same admiration for Trump can be found in articles published in the official site of Golden Dawn's Nazis. For example, we read the following: "The candidate for the republican nomination, Donald Trump, hasn't stop telling truths which exceedingly annoy the american-zionist establishment". On the same article, the author... congratulates Trump for "his courage".