Remember Odessa, Ukraine Nazi massacre May 2, 2014

 

 A Call for an May 2, 2022 International Day of Solidarity with the People of Odessa!

February 2014 saw the overthrow of the elected president of Ukraine in a violent, right-wing coup directed by the U.S. government (Victoria Nuland and V-P Joe Biden in charge). Just three months later, on May 2, Odessa experienced one of Europe’s worst civil disorders in many decades, when more than 50 mostly young progressives were brutally murdered by a fascist-led mob at Odessa’s Kulikovo Square Trades Union Hall.

Ever since that day, relatives, friends and supporters of those who were killed have been demanding an international investigation into the massacre, a demand that has been blocked by the Kiev government working hand-in-hand with the fascist organizations responsible for the deaths. This obstruction by the Ukrainian government has been noted by the United Nations, the Council of Europe and other international bodies, as well as the U.S. State Department.

It should be said that, despite many videos/photos taken of the fascists participating in the massacre, not one of those responsible for the murders has ever been brought to trial, while many anti-fascists arrested that day are still in prison, many never having been charged with a crime. 

Since the massacre, Odessans have gathered in Kulikovo Square to remember their dead and press the demand for an investigation. And regularly, neo-Nazi organizations like the notorious Right Sector and Azov death squads harass and sometimes physically attack them. The police occasionally intervene, but the fascists are never arrested.

 

After all these years there are still 'missing' activists from the May 2, 2014 massacre. No one knows if they are dead or alive - maybe inside one of Kiev's jails. Families get no information about their missing children.

Since the coup of 2014, the right of the Ukrainian people to free speech has been steadily restricted. The continuing demand of Odessans for an international investigation into the massacre at Kulikovo Square has been a particular irritant to the Kiev government. If the voices of these brave people are allowed to be silenced, Ukraine can never pretend to be a true democracy as the west now attempts to portray the Kiev puppet regime that seriously colludes with murderous fascist groups.

The Odessa Solidarity Campaign in the US was founded in May 2016 following the second anniversary memorial of the massacre of May 2, 2014.  A delegation of UNAC members from the United States (Phil Wilayto, Regis Tremblay and Bruce Gagnon) attended the memorial, which was held at Odessa’s Kulikovo square. 

See more on the 2016 Odessa events here. 

https://odessasolidaritycampaign.org/