The centennial of the 1917 October Revolution to be commemorated in New York (Left Forum, 2-4 June)

Marxism-Leninism Today is co-organizing a panel commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution at the Left Forum in New York City.

Jointly co-sponsored with the Party of Communists USA, the panel is entitled: “The Russian Revolution and its Indelible Stamp on the Course of World History”  

The event will take place on Sunday, June 4th at 10:00 AM. Room 1.124 John Jay College, 899 10th ave (between 58 & 59th Sts.).

Featured panelists include Zoltan Zigedy and Joseph Jamison both members of the Editorial Board of Marxism-Leninism Today;  George Gruenthal an officer of the PCUSA; and Grover Furr Professor at Montclair State University and author of  several volumes , including "Khrushchev Lied"; "Yezhov vs Stalin" and "Trotsky’s Amalgams".

KKE: PM Tsipras and his government are the "best students" of NATO

Info: 902.gr / Translation: In Defense of Communism.

On the occasion of the NATO Summit in Brussels, the Press Office of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) issued the following statement:

"The Summit of NATO's leaders of states and governments took the baton from last year's Warsaw Summit and, despite individual contradictions, decided the escalation of its (NATO's) attack against the people, thus confirming the criminal role of this imperialist organisation.

The Summit decided:

KKE and PAME express solidarity with farmers and agricultural workers in West Bengal

The KKE denounces the state repression against poor farmers and agricultural workers in Calcutta.

The KKE denounces the barbaric attack of the forces of repression against mass organizations of poor farmers and agricultural workers in Calcutta, India, yesterday (22/5). The demonstrators, who had the support of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the West Bengal Left Front, demanded relief measures and marched to the headquarters of the state government in order to hand over a memorandum with their demands. The forces of repression unleashed an assault , attacking the demonstration and journalists, with the result that 900 demonstrators were injured and 100 of them are in a critical condition.

Communist-backed 'Panspoudastiki' gains second place in Greece's student elections

“Panspoudastiki KS”, the communist-backed university students party- emerges again at a national level as the second force in the Universities and the Technological Institutes. The result confirms that there is a very important mass of students that place their trust in the positions and activity of the Communist Youth of Greece (KNE).

Thousands of students supported the lists of “Panspoudastiki KS” (PKS) in the student union elections held on the 24th of May. They struggled alongside the members of KNE in order to shape the positive result of the student union elections.

“Panspoudastiki KS” increased its actual votes and percentage in the Universities, receiving 24.48% (in 114 from 199 Schools). The lists of DAP (of the conservative party New Democracy) gain the majority of votes (37.89%), while PASP (of the social-democratic party PASOK) and EAAK (ultra-left ANTARSYA) saw a reduction in their actual votes in the universities. The government-oriented  list BLOKO of the new social-democratic party SYRIZA has decreased dramatically, reaching 0.50%.

In the Technological Institutes “Panspoudastiki KS” received 25.81% (in 37 from 66 Schools) being in the third place.

In a statement, the General Secretary of the CC of KNE Nikos Abatielos points out the fact that "Panspoudastiki KS" remains a "militant force", remaing the second force in the University student elections. "The KKE and KNE will continue our efforts to strengthen the line of counterattack, against the antipeople policy of governments-EU-capital which crashes the studies and life of thousands of students" said Abatielos, adding that "the KKE and KNE will be in the front line of the struggle".

* While this post was written, the counting of the votes was still in progress. You can check out the results by clicking here (in Greek).

UPDATE (25.5.2017, 1:06 pm).

"Panspoudastiki" has received 20.69% (in 185 from 199 Uni. Schools) in Universities remaining second force. In Technological Institutes "Panspoudastiki" has 20.70% being the third force after DAP and PASP.

Dimitris Koutsoumbas: The significance of the October Revolution in the era of the transition from capitalism to socialism-communism

By Dimitris Koutsoumbas*.

Source: International Communist Review, Issue 7, 2017.

In 2017 we will honour the 100th anniversary of the Great Socialist Revolution that took place in 1917 in Russia. This event marked and determined the course of millions of people, not just within the geographical confines of the first workers' state in the history of humanity, the USSR, but it also had an impact of every corner of the planet for many decades.

October demonstrates the working class's potential and capacity to implement its historical mission as the only truly revolutionary class, to lead the first attempt to construct socialism-communism.

At the same time, October shows the irreplaceable role of the guiding force of the socialist revolution, the communist party.

Great October demonstrates the enormous strength of proletarian internationalism. Despite the developments after the overthrow of socialism in 1989-1991, the 100th anniversary of the October Revolution, with all the theoretical and practical experience and maturity that we have acquired over the years, makes us even more certain and categorical about the timeliness and necessity of socialism-communism.

Raul Castro slams 'Yankee' Trump's provocative statement on Cuban Independence Day

Cuban President Raul Castro responded to the unacceptable and provocative comments of Donald Trump by characterizing U.S. President's statement on Cuban Independence Day as "ridiculous and controversial". 

More specifically, as Telesur reports, in a broadcast on Cuban state television Saturday, President Raul Castro said Trump’s imperial castigation of the communist island as home to “cruel despotism” were "the contradictory and clumsy pronouncements of the millionaire magnate-turned-president on issues of both foreign and domestic policy."

With Saturday marking 115 years since Cuba’s victory against Spanish colonial and U.S. military rule, Trump offered his timeworn criticism against the country, saying, "The Cuban people deserve a government that peacefully defends democratic values, economic freedoms, religious freedoms and human rights. And my administration is committed to achieving that vision.”

Declaration of the CC of the KKE on the 100 years of the October Revolution published in 'Rizospastis'

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) presented its declaration on the centennial of the October Socialist Revolution. The declaration was published in the Party's official newspaper 'Rizospastis' on Sunday 21st May. 

According to 902.gr, the publication of the declaration consist the beginning of a multiform political activity of the Party's organisations, as well as those of the Party's Youth (KNE). This activity will include publications by "Synchroni Epochi" publishing house as well as related articles about the 1917 Revolution in 'Rizospastis'. 

The publication of the Central Committee's declaration is part of a long-time Party's effort for the study of the socialist construction and the reasons which led to the counterrevolution. A crucial role in this effort had the Party's 18th Congress (2009) which resulted in conclusions and decisions regarding the 20th century's socialist construction, focusing on the Soviet Union.

"Yes to Peace- No to NATO": World Peace Council's events against NATO Summit in Brussels

Click to enlarge.

On the occasion of NATO's Summit on May 25 in Brussels, the World Peace Council (WPC) escalates its anti-imperialist initiatives with new events. More specifically: 

On Tuesday 23th May, represented by President Socorro Gomes and Executive Secretary Iraklis Tsavdaridis, the WPC will participate in an open anti-NATO event organised by the Belgian INTAL at the Meeting Hall "de Spiegelzaal" at De Markten, Oude Graanmarkt 5. 

On Wednesday 24th May, the WPC will organise a conference against NATO, under the slogan "Yes to Peace- No to NATO". Speeches will be delivered by WPC President Socorro Gomes and WPC Secretary General Thanasis Pafilis. At least 18 anti-imperialist movements across the world will participate in the conference which will be held at the Meeting Hall "Sleep Well Hostel", at Rue du Damier 23 in Brussels.

The WPC will participate at the Anti-NATO rally of INTAL and other organisations at 17:00 (local time) at Gare du Nord.

Three years of Narendra Modi's government: The devastating situation of women in India

Source: Communist Party of India (Marxist).

Three years of Modi Raj. How has it been for the women of this country? 

In one word: devastating. Budget spending on women related programs has been cut, employment opportunities for women are nowhere in sight, unbridled violence against women continues and on top of everything, we have scores of RSS-inspired leaders who are openly preaching a return to medieval times with women locked inside domestic walls, wearing “proper” clothes and behaving respectfully towards men. 

No surprise that the promise of passing the Women’s Reservation Bill is not even on the govt.’s agenda.

“Ni tierra, ni mar, ni aire par los imperialistas”: Internationalist event by the PCPE in Madrid

"No land, no sea, no air to Imperialists".

An international event against the imperialist wars takes place on Saturday, May 20, at 6.00 pm in Madrid (Auditorio El Madroño, C/ Villardondiego, 36). The event, organised by the Communist Party of the Peoples of Spain (PCPE), will be attended by representatives of other communisty parties, including the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Italy Marco Rizzo and the member of the International Relations Bureau of the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) Can Seven. 

The KKE will be represented by the member of the Political Bureau Giorgos Marinos and Lefteris Nikolaou, member of the International Relations department of the CC of the Party. 

The event will be addressed by the General Secretary of the PCPE Ástor García as well as Marina Gómez, Secretary General of the CJC (Colectivos de Jovenes Comunistas).

The SYRIZA government serves capitalist barbarity: KKE MPs denounce the new austerity measures

Dimitris Koutsoumbas (Left) and Thanasis
Pafilis during their Parliament speeches.

Report by In Defense of Communism, info by 902.gr & Rizospastis.

As the Parliament prepares to vote upon the new austerity package (a 4th memorandum agreed by the government, the EU and the creditors), the MPs of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) unleashed an attack against the government's new antipeople measures. 

Speaking at the Parliament, the Secretary General of the CC of the KKE Dimitris Koutsoumbas denounced the coalition SYRIZA-ANEL government as the one responsible for the shrinkage of people's standards of living and labour rights. "The new antipeople agreement" said D.Koutsoumbas, "consists a new a 4th memorandum" and pointed out that the new measures "both directly and indirectly support the profitability of business corporations". He also stressed that the policy followed by the government is based on directions which increase the exploitation of the working people and strengthen the concentration of the capital.

Statements by the WFTU and PAME: Solidarity with the bus drivers' strike in Sydney

World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU):

The World Federation of Trade Unions, representing 92 million workers in the 5 continents, expresses its solidarity with Sydney bus drivers who are on strike as a response to the government’s announcement for a privatization program of bus services in the city’s south and inner west.

The privatization plan was announced, despite the fact that the government assured the bus drivers in writing that the bus route will not be privatized. According to the strikers, the privatization will cost the job of 1,200 drivers, will reduce the bus routes and stops and will adversely affect the quality of service and the maintenance of the buses.

D. Koutsoumbas: "The austerity memorandums must be thrown in the trashbin of history"

"Popular uprising everywhere. The memorandums of austerity must be thrown in the trashbin of history" said among other things the Secretary General of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Dimitris Koutsoumbas who attended the large strike demonstration in Athens on May 17. Talking to journalists, Secretary Koutsoumbas made the following statement:

"Actually, class war is now in progress, it is a marathon, not a rifle shot in the air. Class war must be a daily and lasting one. The harsh antipeople measures, the 4th memorandum along with the previous memorandums (of austerity) must be thrown in the trashbin of History and for that the only responsible are the Greek people, the labor-popular movement. 

For that reason, our call is: Popular uprising everywhere, not a day or hour must be gone; the struggle doesn't end today or tomorrow but continues. 

“We will not become the slaves of the 21st century": The KKE calls for people's counterattack

Source: inter.kke.gr.

A 24hr general strike will be held in Greece on 17 May 2017, as well as the strike rallies and demonstrations of the All-worker’s Militant Front (PAME) in dozens of cities, against the measures which the coalition government of the “Left” party of SYRIZA and the nationalist party of ANEL is bringing for discussion on that day in Parliament. 

Protest demonstrations will be organized by PAME all over the country on 18^th of May, the day the measures will be voted on.

The SYRIZA-ANEL government is bringing these measures after the negotiations with the imperialist unions of the EU and IMF for the 2^nd evaluation of the 3^rd Memorandum. It is clear from the results that the government negotiated with the lenders on behalf of the interests of the domestic monopoly groups and not the people, with the aim of accelerating the process of an exit from the capitalist crisis that favours capital.

65 years later, California abandons McCarthyism by repealing shameful anti-communist law

100 years after the Great October Socialist Revolution of 1917 and almost 65 years since the end of McCarthyism's terror, the state of California may soon lift ban on communists working in the government. 

The California state assembly narrowly approved on May 8th the repealing an anti-communist discriminatory law which had been enacted during the second "Red Scare" (McCarthyist hysteria) of the 1940s and ’50s that banned Communists from holding jobs in government. It should be noted that, apart from Communist Party members, victims of this law were also people of left ideology and supporters of national liberation struggles. Everyone who was considered a supporter of the Left was affected by this law.

That period of McCarthyism led to the dismissal of thousands of workers in government positions, education, and unions. The bill must now pass through the state Senate for approval.

People Rise Up: Greece's Labour movement prepares for national General Strike on May 17

A nationwide General Strike is scheduled to take place on May 17, 2017 with rallies and demonstrations in Athens-Piraeus, Thessaloniki, Patras and all major cities of the country. 

On the occasion of the General Strike, the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) calls the people to rise up against the new harsh measures imposed by the bailout agreement of the SYRIZA coalition government and the creditors (EU-IMF). More specifically, the PAME statement writes:

Open letter by the Communist Party of Venezuela: Defeat the Coup Against the Bolivarian Republic

An open letter to the people, from the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV).

To our compatriot Nicolas Maduro, President of the Republic; to the working class and working people of the city and countryside; to the patriotic officers, classes, and soldiers of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces; to the national leadership and militancy of the political parties and popular organisations of the Great Patriotic Pole, including the United Socialist Party.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela finds itself threatened yet again by acts of political violence from sectors of the extreme right as part of the execution of a destabilising plan elaborated by North American imperialism.

PM Alexis Tsipras in China: Promoting the interests and aspirations of Greek capitalists

The role of Greece as a "bridge" between China and the EU is the major aim of the Greek government, in an effort to promote and expand the aspirations of the country's bourgeoisie. The visit of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Beijing, on the occasion of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (May 14-15) serves this purpose. 

Greece is at a crossroads of three continents, it constitutes an important hub in the economic, energy and cultural sectors and can serve as a bridge between China and Europe, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Saturday in a meeting with the Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"Occupy Wall Street" movement shares reactionary propaganda against Venezuela

The tweet of "Occupy".

The reactionary, imperialist propaganda against Venezuela's government has found new promoters: The famous "Occupy Wall Street" movement seems to be one of them, as long as it uses Twitter in order to share reactionary views about what is happening in Venezuela. 

More specifically, on 12 May 2017, the so-called "resistance movement" shared on Twitter an article of the New York Times titled "Venezuela Tries Protesters in Military Court 'Like We Are in a War'". 

Since its establishment in 2011, the "Occupy" movement- a leaderless movement with hazy anticapitalist slogans- tried to absorb popular discontent (especially of the indignant youth) against the system without having a clear ideological basis. 

WFTU condemns Pizza Hut's vulgar advertisement referring to Palestinian hunger strikers

In a statement the World Federation of Trade Unions condemns the vulgar and unethical advertisement of Pizza Hut referring to the Palestinian hunger strikers.

The World Federation of Trade Unions, representing 92 million workers in the 5 continents, expresses its indignation for the vulgar, unethical campaign of “Pizza Hut” against the Palestinian Hunger Strikers. 

Manuel "Tirofijo" Marulanda: Colombia's legendary guerrilla leader remembered

On the occassion of the 87 years since the birth of the Colombian guerrilla leader, founder of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia—People's Army (FARC-EP) Manuel "Tirofijo" Marulanda (1930-2008), we remember some basic aspects of his life. 

Manuel "Tirofijo" Marulanda: Father of the FARC.

Manuel Marulanda Velez, founder of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and its leader until his death, was a man firmly and decisively committed to the campesinos of Colombia and their liberation.

It is said that Marulanda was so thoroughly a man of the countryside that in his entire life he never set foot in the Colombian capital of Bogota.

He died of natural causes eight years ago today, March 26, 2008.

The KKE denounces the persecution of communists (cadres of RCWP) by the Russian authorities

Statement of the Press Office of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) / inter.kke.gr.

The KKE denounces the arrest and sentencing of cadres of the Communist Workers' Party of Russia (RCWP) by the Russian authorities, which was carried out during the demonstration of the 9th of May, day of the Anti-fascist Victory.

Specifically, as the RCWP and its youth- The Revolutionary Communist Youth League (Bolsheviks)-denounce Alexander Batov, member of the Secretariat of the CC of the RCWP was arrested in Moscow and P. Tipakov, Secretary of the RCWP's local committee was arrested in Niszhny Novgorod.