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History

On December 16, 2004 State Duma of Russian Federation introduced a new holiday – Day of People’s Unity, thus in fact official celebration was transferred from November 7 (anniversary of October revolution at that time called Day of Unity and Reconciliation) to November 4.

According to the official version on November 4, 1612 “people’s militia headed by Kousma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky stormed Kitay Gorod and liberated Moscow from Polish invaders thus demonstrating unprecedented heroism and unity of the people”. Thus, the government created an absurd reason for dominating state patriotism. Russian fascists immediately recognized this celebration and on November 4 they hold their gatherings, marches and meetings.

Resistance

From the very beginning Petersburg antifascists resisted fascists in the streets of the city. In 2006 the fascist march was not officially sanctioned but the column of about 300 Nazi was walking along Nevsky prospect (the city main street) guarded by police. Antifascists had expected this, so a group of 50 people stood and blocked their way. The police demanded to let them pass, but the antifascists did not move and physically resisted fascists when they attacked. During the fight and immediately after many people were detained, but Nazi march was stopped.
In 2007 fascist march was legalized, though it went along a very short rout and was carefully guarded by police, and then there was a legal fascist rally in a park. The small group which raised a banner “Death to Fascism” at the entrance to the park was immediately attacked from the back by a special purpose police unit, all antifascists were detained.

In 2008 the authorities did not sanction a separate fascist event but they were kindly invited to take part in official city celebration at one of the central city squares. The invitation was accepted. That year police did not allow fascists to march and demonstrate their banners.
In 2009 a fascist rally was authorized and several hundred nationalists of different shades turned up. Several antifascists went there and raised a banner “Trash Nationalism”, they had time to shout “Fascists kill and authorities cover them up” several times before they were attacked by the participants of the rally and then seized by the police.

Call for Action

We do not know what form the fascist celebration will take this year, in Russia all public events are authorized at the last moment. The way to resist their activity will depend on how many we will be, how well we will be organized and what actions we will consider necessary. In any case, an adequate response to fascist activity in Petersburg will require a lot of people and help from activists from many countries.We hope to hold an academic and practical conference on problems of nationalism in Petersburg and a big antifascist rally.
We are calling on all people of good will, everybody who believe in ideals of internationalism and humanism to take part in antifascist events in Petersburg on November 4, 2010. During the second world war Leningrad did not surrender in the fascist blockade, now it is time to free the city from local fascists. If you are ready to come and support us, give us your e-mail address, so that we can subscribe you to a special mailing list to coordinate our joint actions. In most European countries it is not a problem now to get a tourist visa to Russia but if somebody needs an invitation we will try to help.

Group of antifascists from Petersburg
antifascizm10@gmail.com