[WSMDiscuss] Call for action: The World in Solidarity with Odessa May 2018

[Tord Björk]

Call for action: The World in Solidarity with Odessa

(Please participate also outside Europe! The dangerous Ukrainian conflict
in the midst of the confrontation between the West and Russia is of
importance also outside Europe)


Survivors and relatives to the 42 victims of the Odessa Massacre May 2,
2014 are harassed and persecuted. Earlier events have been organised both
in Odessa and internationally on the memorial day of the massacre. For the
fourth memorial day it is unfortunately not possible to organise an
international action on place, but events are planned in, for instance;
Austria, Czechia, United Kingdom, Russia, Sweden and the United States.

We also invite everyone to participate.

To show your solidarity and desire for peace in Europe, use a red carnation
flower and take a photo of it with a more or less well-known view in the
background. You can include a text such as ”Odessa 2014-05-02”, ”Remember
Odessa” or ”Peace in Europe! - Solidarity with the victims of the Odessa
Massacre”. Since black balloons also have been used for this memorial day,
it may be included in the picture.

The Solidarity Manifestation gathers photos and information throughout the
month of May on:

- a Facebook-page
May Solidarity action May 2 with the victims of the Odessa massacre
https://tinyurl.com/y8qeo5k2

- a blog
The World in Solidarity with Odessa
https://solidaritywithodessa.wordpress.com

Submit your contribution by sending a message to the fb-page, commenting on
the blog or by e-mailing it directly to aktivisterforfred at gmail.com. Write
from where the photo is.

This important action can easily be carried out by one person, two or more.

Given that there are harassments and threats also outside of Odessa, we see
that it is important that anyone can attend anonymously. More information
about how to make an anonymous contribution is to be found on the
Facebook-page and the blog. There, you can also find alternatives if you
cannot get a hold on a real flower.

We look forward to many photos that together showcase the whole world in
solidarity.

Prague Spring 2 - Network against right wing extremism and populism

--

Photos:

Photo 1: Red carnation flowers in a window who show a huge crowd outside
the building. The photo is taken from inside the trade union building where
the Odessa Massacre took place. It's taken May, 9 2014 when the building
was opened after the tragedy and people came to the place to honor the
victims by laying down flowers. Photo by:

Photo 2: An example of how you can show your solidarity with Odessa. This
photo is från Stockholm, Sweden. The photo is taken April, 22 2018. Photo
by Aktivister för fred.

Photo 3: Another example of how you can show your solidarity with Odessa.
This photo is from New York, United States. The photo is taken April, 25
2018. Photo by Anna R. (which you can find on the link above)
[image: Solidarity action May 2 with the victims of the Odessa massacres
foto.]
<https://www.facebook.com/613792958972533/photos/pcb.613794322305730/624425287909300/?type=3>
[image: Solidarity action May 2 with the victims of the Odessa massacres
foto.]
<https://www.facebook.com/613792958972533/photos/pcb.613794322305730/624414851243677/?type=3>
[image: Solidarity action May 2 with the victims of the Odessa massacres
foto.]
<https://www.facebook.com/613792958972533/photos/pcb.613794322305730/624425247909304/?type=3>



Flyer which can be downloaded from the link above and below:


ODESSA + 4

2nd of May 2018



[image: page1image1784352.png]

Commemorate the Odessa massacre and tragedy!

Solidarity with the victims and their relatives!

Build peace in Europe now!

On the 2nd of May 2014 in Odessa in Ukraine 42 people were killed when a
trade union house was surround- ed by a large progovernmental mob and the
house was set on fire. Today the survivors and the relatives of the victims
or anyone questioning this attack are repressed. They need our solidarity!

The Odessa clashes

The fire killing 42 people started at the entrance of the building were the
mob throw many molotov cocktails. The people inside who were supporting a
referendum for a federal Ukraine died from lack of air to breath or when
jumping out of the windows. Many were beaten severely when trying to get
away from the fire. This makes what happened a massacre.

This violent mob attack was preceded by street clashes in another part of
the city. Here first two progovernmental activists and then four
pro-federal- ist were shot to death.

The fact that some organized right wing-nationalists and others started to
rescue those caught in the fire after a while when others continued to beat
the survivors shows that it was a tragedy and not a fascist preplanned
attempt to kill everyone. Yet it was also a mass murder committed by all
who with ill intentions threw fire bombs into the building.

Today survivors of the massacre in the trade union house and relatives of
the victims are harassed and persecuted. No one has been sentenced for the
crimes. The very few accused of attacking pro federalists has been aquitted
while profederalists are held in custody year after year accused
collectively for rioting.

The fascist organization the Rigth Sector as well as the main stream
Euromaidan organization calls what happened this day a victory. Also
president Poroshenko uses a similar narrative claiming that he is proud of
that ‘’Today Odessa has become very pro-Ukrainian.” As a result of that
 “Odessa paid a high price on May 2 to see what is happening now if we
hadn’t stopped the invasion of separatists.” A narrative that calls the
killing of so many people a victory or something similar is exactly the
opposite of what Europe needs.

What we need instead to build peace is:

- Stop harassment and persecution on both sides of the conflict, in Odessa,
Ukraine, Russia and the EU.

- Demand equally from all actors to implement the Minsk agreement for peace
in Ukraine and especially what is necessary to help civilians in the midst
of the conflict

- Stop armament and invest instead in social and environmental concerns.

Prague Spring 2 network against right wing extremism and populism

Break the silence about the Ukrainian conflict and distribute this leaflet
on May 1!

Make solidarity action on May 2 in solidarity with the Odessa victims!

Keep others informed through: https://www.facebook.com/Solidarity-
action-May-2-with-the-victims-of-the-Odessa-massacre-613792958972533
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