20 May: ISA organised a Day of International Solidarity with Russian Anti-War Activists, specifically to call for:
- The immediate release of Dzhavid Mamedov and all anti-war protesters;
- An immediate end to the war in Ukraine, with the withdrawal of Russian troops, an end to NATO expansion and sanctions;
- The dramatic reduction of expenditure on arms, and for the resources used instead for health, education, and reconstruction;
- For workers solidarity in Russia, Ukraine and across Europe against the warmongers, oligarchs, and right-wing politicians, for a socialist world in which the self-determination of nations with rights for minorities is ensured, and the natural and industrial resources are in public ownership and their use democratically planned in the interests of all.
The background can be read here.
The protests were kicked off by supporters from Socialistisch Alternatief — the Dutch section of ISA at a public meeting in Rotterdam.
They were soon joined by Taiwanese supporters, who filmed a protest outside the Russian embassy in Taipei.
Next in line were socialists in Ireland. Mick Barry TD raised the threat of a long imprisonment against Dzhavid and the attacks on 15000 other Russian anti-war activists in the Irish parliament, even managing to get the promise from the Taoiseach [Prime Minister] to raise the issue with the Russian embassy.
Later other Irish TD’s joined Mick to send a message of solidarity.
Another elected representative ISA member and Seattle City Councillor Kshama Sawant expressed her support, and recorded a special video to encourage campaigners.
With no Russian embassy in Chicago, supporters sent their solidarity with a photo.
Elsewhere in North America Socialist Alternative branches across Canada held a series of solidarity actions.
ISA members in Quebec also picketed the Russian embassy in Montreal.
Australia used the opportunity to wage public campaigning against the war.
In another part of the world where ISA supporters face the constant militarisation of society is Israel & Palestine, where a picket was organised outside the Russian embassy in Tel Aviv.
Impressive support was organised across Europe.
In Poland, outside the Russian embassy in Warsaw.
In Sweden too.
and Austria.
while in Germany — Berlin and Hamburg where amongst the cities where there were protests.
In Belgium, solidarity was particularly lively
In Britain too there was a good showing
as well as in Ireland.
Particularly impressive was support from trade unions and trade union activists.
Trade Union Representatives such as Susan FitzGerald from Unite the Union in Northern Ireland, the largest union in Britain, and CSP-Conlutas from Brazil, countersigned by 78 other organisations representing over 3 million members and the South African SAPTU, with 800,000 members wrote to their respective embassies to protest. They were joined by the Working Class Summit Steering Committee and the General Industries Workers Union from South Africa.
During the opening session of CSP-Conlutas’s trade union coordination meeting a special appeal demanding the release of political prisoners in both Russia and Belarus was held.
In Belgium trade union activists from LSP/PSL sent solidarity greetings.
As too did the British West Midlands International Forum of Unison
In Brussels the ALR-LRB union added its voice.
In countries such as Spain and Romania the issue was publicised on sites and by leafletting.
Supporters from South America gained a big response as already reported. Solidarity was sent from Mexico too.
In a number of countries supporters managed to get press coverage to highlight the situation facing Russia’s anti war activists. In Pretoria, the march to the Russian embassy was covered.
Elsewhere on the African continent ISA members in Nigeria held magnificent protests.
They were unable, for security reasons to photograph their protest outside the Russian embassy in Lagos, but they ensured that they were filmed elsewhere.
and in Abuja too
While supporters in South Africa gave their artistic skills free reign.
In Russia itself, its dangerous to be engaged in any anti-war activities at the moment. Nevertheless stickers supporting Dzhavid have appeared in Moscow and elsewhere.
His supporters have raised money to cover the fines Dzhavid has already received, and all the solidarity messages have been distributed to over 6000 supporters across Russia.
Huge thanks to all those who have set this campaign off to such a magnificent start with just a few days of preparation.
