We publish pictures and an unofficial translation of a report published by the Anti-imperialist Collective on Instagram (@antiimperialistinenkollektiivi).
The headline of this article has been corrected on the 3rd of May.
The AIC took part in the anti-fascist block organized by the Tampere against fascism-coalition at the traditional 1st of May march in Tampere. The AIC had some own slogans, such as “Long live the People’s War in India, the Philippines, Turkey and Peru!”, “No two state solution – one free Palestine!”, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!”. The slogans were widely joined and there was an unified spirit at the march.
On the 1st of May, a strong anti-fascist mobilization was seen against the “White 1st of May”1 organized by the Blue-Black Movement. Despite fascist mobilization from all over the country and from different organizations, such as the “Active Club” and “Soldiers of Odin”, their mobilization remained at 50 people. The anti-fascist mobilization was attended by around 200 people.
The anti-fascists harassed the “White 1st of May” from the beginning to the end and the fascists were pushed to the farthest corner at Jugendtori. Anti-fascists shouted for example “Not blue, not white – 1st of May is red and international!”, “Red Tampere!”, “The 1st of May belongs to us, not fascists!” and “Death to fascism, freedom for the people!”. Antifascists also pointed out the illegality which the state power commits by enforcing the freedom of assembly of the fascists (referring to the Paris peace treaty).
The police of Finnish imperialism realized this fascist illegality and arbitrariness with increasing violence. According to the information of the AIC, the police has shot at least three people with the FN303-projectile weapon. Of these three, at least one was a bystander. Two of the shot are injured and at least one of them had to go to the hospital. One of the shot was also shot while they were already on the ground.
In addition to this, the police has tried to intimidate the anti-fascists by presenting their face to the fascists. According to the information of the AIC, the antifascists have also been presented with made-up charges. It is completely clear that where fascism marches, supported by state violence and repression, there even more intense resistance must be waged.
Down with the arbitrariness! Complete support to the victims of police violence! United front against fascism!
In addition, the AIC has shared some videos from other sources, which show the combativeness of the antifascist mobilization:
1For our international readers, this is a direct reference to the counter-revolutionary White Guards of the 1918 civil war – Punalippu
