Greece: Thousands joined PAME strike rallies against government's anti-workers measures

Thousands of workers took part in today’s strike and strike demonstrations organized by the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) in Greece's major cities against the anti-workers’ measures of the government.

From the central strike rally in Athens, the militant Greek trade unions expressed their solidarity with the workers of France, who suffer the same attack on their working rights and lives and who also were on strike on the same day. 

Thomas Cook bankruptcy — PAME calls the company's workers to assert their rights

In a statement regarding the bankruptcy of the travel giant "Thomas Cook" published in 902 portal, the Secretariat in Catering-Tourism-Hotels of the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) points out the following: 

"Travel giant Thomas Cook which, among other things, manages hotels in Rodos and Crete, declared bankruptcy leaving exposed thousands of workers in all over the world. 

"You have no shame. You deserve no respect": Open Letter of Ástor García to Pedro Sánchez

Spain's social democrat PM Pedro Sánchez (left photo)
and the General Secretary of the PCTE Ástor García.

On the occasion of the recent despicable anti-communist resolution passed in the EU Parliament, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Workers of Spain (PCTE) Ástor García issued an open letter to the General Secretary of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) and Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez. 

Read below the full letter written by Ástor García.

Madrid, September 21st 2019.

Dear Pedro,

KNE-Odigitis festival in Athens: Awe-inspiring political event addressed by D. Koutsoumbas

A speech by the General Secretary of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Dimitris Koutsoumbas on Saturday evening marked the end of the three-day events of the 45th KNE-Odigitis festival in Athens. 

In a awe-inspiring political gathering, which attracted thousands of people of every age, Koutsoumbas sent a message of political resistance and counterattack, stressing out that "with our struggles, our dreams, our power, we can build a free world, open and full of hope, socialism". 

Turkey's "red mayor" Fatih Mehmet Maçoğlu visited Greece

Fatih Mehmet Maçoğlu, the militant mayor of the Turkish city of Dersim, paid his first visit to Greece after an invitation by "New Star" studio cinema. 

During his stay in Athens Mr Maçoğlu participated in numerous events, including the screening of two documentaries ("From Soil to Sky" and "Dersim") and a book presentation ("Komünist Başkan-The Communist Mayor"). 

The mayor of Dersim, who has been elected with the list of the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP), had the opportunity to visit the 45th KNE-Odigitis festival which is taking place at Athens' Tritsis Park from 19 to 21 September. He was welcomed by members of KNE, toured the festival's premises and also signed the resolution against the "US-Greece mutual defense agreement on bases". 

EU Parliament's new despicable anti-communist resolution distorts history

Once again the EU Parliament proves its role as a leading instrument of anti-communist distortion of history. 

In a joint resolution signed by the political groups of the People's Party, the Social Democrats, the Liberals, the Greens and the Conservative Reformists, the EU tries - once again - to equate communism with fascism-nazism and legalize the unacceptable reactionary measures against the Communist Parties and their activity in a number of member-states. 

Solidarity with the striking workers of General Motors in the U.S. — WFTU statement

On Sept. 16, 50,000 General Motors workers walked off the job in their first strike since 2007, protesting idled plants and low wages. 

Workers on picket lines outside GM factories waved signs declaring “UAW On Strike.” In Bowling Green, Kentucky, they blocked the three entrances to the assembly plant, which normally builds the Chevrolet Corvette.

Turkey: Communist Party (TKP) celebrated its 99th anniversary in Istanbul and Izmir

The Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) started the events celebrating the 99th anniversary with the slogan "We Are Ready".

The first event was held on September 10th in Istanbul with the participation of thousands of TKP members and friends.

The event started with the singing of the anthem Internationale and a video on the history of TKP was showed.

Greek anti-imperialist movement calls for action against USA-Greece military agreement

In a statement issued this week the Greek Committee for International Detente and Peace (EEDYE) announces that it will undertake initiatives and organize mobilizations against the "Greece-USA Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement". 

Under the slogan "NO TO BASES, NO TO NUCLEAR WEAPONS", EEDYE calls the people's movement to stand against the dangerous imperialist plans in the region, focusing on the upcoming visit of the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Athens in the beginning of October.

45th KNE-Odigitis festival concludes its journey on 19-21 September in Athens

After a successful tour throughout Greece, the festival of the Communist Youth of Greece (KNE) concludes with a three-day events at Tritsis Park in Athens. 

The festival will take place between 19 and 21 of September and includes numerous cultural and political events. 

This year's major slogan is Nazim Hikmet's words: "With the struggles, the dreams, our power... we will build a world that is free, open, full of hope". In a major political event, which has been scheduled for Saturday 21 September, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Dimitris Koutsoumbas will be the major speaker. A message will also be delivered by the Secretary of the CC of KNE Nikos Abatielos. 

Communist Party of Greece (KKE): Letter to the U.N. Secretary General about Venezuela

A delegation from the European Parliamentary Group of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) visited the offices of the United Nations (UN) in Brussels on Wednesday 11/9/2019, and delivered this letter to the Secretary-General of the UN Mr. Antonio Guterres, from the Parliamentary and European Parliamentary Group of the Party.

The letter denounces the interference of the USA and its allies in Venezuela and the threats of military intervention against the country, while it expresses the solidarity of the KKE with the Venezuelan people.

"History is ours, and people make history" — Salvador Allende, 11 September 1973

This speech was delivered at 9:10 am on September 11, 1973, in the midst of the US-sponsored coup d'etat against the democratically-elected government of Chile. Barricaded inside La Moneda presidential palace, Salvador Allende gave his life defending Chilean democracy. 

"My friends,

Surely this will be the last opportunity for me to address you. The Air Force has bombed the towers of Radio Portales and Radio Corporación.

KKE-KNE pay farewell to popular songwriter and singer Lavrentis Macheritsas

"Another one great songwriter saddenly passed away, leaving us with the richness of his work", points out a statement of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) for the death of popular rock singer and songwriter Lavrentis Macheritsas. 

The KKE statement continues: "Like all these years, from his beginning until the time he "left", he accompanied us with his music and songs and he will continue accompany us in our small and great moments. Grandson of the executed - in April 1948 - militant Lavrentis Macheritsas from Volos, he was dynamically participating in the movement, with his music being his weapon. We will always remember his participation in the Festivals of KNE. In the electoral battles of our Party, with his support statements as well as his active participation, such as in 2006 when he was elected city councillor at the Municipality of Athens with the KKE's list". 

Thessaloniki Int'l Fair: Thousands joined PAME rally, sent powerful message to ND government

Thousands of workers, unemployed and self-employed people, farmers, women, students and pensioners participated in the large demonstration on Saturday afternoon, organized by the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) in Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city. 

The protest was organized on the inauguration day of the city's 84th International Trade Fair by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Canada-Ontario: Only workers' mass struggle can stop Ford's agenda

"As Ford agenda comes into focus, the need for mass action enters the picture" is the title of an article recently published in "People's Voice", the newspaper of the Communist Party of Canada. 

The article, written by Drew Garvie, provides a concise picture of Doug Ford government's agenda in vast range of social issues, including education, healthcare, unemployment, environment, workers' rights, etc. 

Greek workers, trade unions prepare for mass rally during Thessaloniki International Fair

On the occasion of the Greek Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis' visit in Thessaloniki, for the inauguration of the city's 84th International Fair on Saturday 7 September, the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) has issued a call for a mass workers' rally. 

In a statement, PAME calls the trade unions, the workers, the youth to participate in a demonstration which has been scheduled to take place at Aristotelous Square at 6 pm local hour. 

A delegation of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), headed by General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoumbas, will attend the demonstration. 

Ho Chi Minh — How I became a communist

Ho Chi Minh (Nguyen Tat Thanh), 1890-1969.

Published in April 1960 in a Soviet journal entitled Problems of the East. Selected Works, vol. 4 (Hanoi: Foreign Languages Publishing House, 1962).

After World War I, I made my living in Paris, now as a retoucher at a photographer’s, now as painter of “Chinese antiquities” (made in France!). I would distribute leaflets denouncing the crimes committed by the French colonialists in Viet Nam.

At that time, I supported the October Revolution only instinctively, not yet grasping all its historic importance. I loved and admired Lenin because he was a great patriot who liberated his compatriots; until then, I had read none of his books.

Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV): What is going on in the Amazon isn’t fire; its capitalism

The Politbureau of the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) in its weekly press conference held August 26 declared its position regarding the serious situation which affects the Brazilian Amazonian region. 

With respect, the Secretary for International Relations of the Central Committee of the PCV, Carolus Wimmer, said: "The PCV warns that what is going on in the Amazon isn’t fire, its capitalism. There is a wave of information which is looking to hide the truth of the problem. The consequence of the expansion of the interests of the transnational firms in our region has naturally not only caused the exploitation of the workers and misery and hunger for the popular masses, but also the destruction of the environment."  

Czech authorities disrespect history - Hands Off Marshal Ivan Konev's statue!

Ivan Stepanovich Konev; the vandalized statue in Prague.

In a decision of disrespect towards the city's liberator, the Prague 6 authorities have ordered that the statue of Marshal Ivan Konev, a Soviet hero of WW2, be covered up and hidden behind scaffolding. 

According to the local authorities this is the cheapest way to protect the statue from vandalism!

Just a few days ago unknown thugs desecrated the monument with spray paint, writing the slogan "No to the bloody marshal, we will not forget" and the date "1968". The attack took place on the eve of the 51th anniversary of the Soviet intervention against the counterrevolutionary forces in Czechoslovakia. 

FARC-EP rebels denounce the "betrayal of peace" by the state, continue armed struggle

"While there is a will to fight, there' ll be hope of winning". This is the title of the manifesto released by guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People's Army (FARC-EP) who announced the continuation of the armed struggle against the bourgeois state. 

In a 32-minute video featuring Ivan Marquez, a leading figure of FARC, alongside Jesus Santrich and other ex-rebels, the colombian guerrillas denounced the "betrayal" of the 2016 peace agreement by the Colombian state. 

KKE: Question in the EU Parliament on the ban of the Communist Party of Ukraine's newspaper

The group of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) in the European Parliament denounces the ban of the newspaper of the CP of Ukraine. MEP Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos submitted a question to the European Commission asking its position on these provocative anti-communist decisions which try to ban the propagation of communist ideas. In his question, the MEP of the KKE highlights the following:

“After the unacceptable decision of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine on July 16 imposing a ban on the CP of Ukraine, the Administrative Court of Kiev on August 19, utilizing the entire anti-communist legal arsenal of the Ukrainian governments, also proceeded to ban "Workers’ Newspaper", the newspaper of the CP of Ukraine.

Greece: Protest of KNE outside the Brazilian embassy for the disaster in Amazon

With a protest outside the Brazilian embassy in Athens, hundreds of members of the Communist Youth of Greece (KNE) raised their voice against the ecological disaster that is taking place in Amazonia. 

As 902.gr portal reports, the demonstrators beared pickets with slogans such as "their profits destroy our lives and the environment, lets stop them - lets overthrow them" and "neither Trump nor Macron, the solution will be given by the people's struggle", while they marched all the way from Syntagma Square to the Embassy of Brazil. 

KKE denounces the unhistorical anti-communist fiestas of the European Union

The KKE MEPs, Lefteris Nikolaou and Kostas Papadakis.

Once again the European Union and the governments of the Baltic countries have promoted the commemoration of August 23rd as a "European Day of Remembrance for the victims of totalitaranism and authoritarian regimes". 

Towards this direction, they reproduce the unhistorical and dangerous equation of communism with fascism. 

In statement published in 902 portal, the delegation of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) in the European Parliament denounces the unhistorical and anti-communist fiestas of the EU. 

Lithuania: The sickle and hammer still frightens the country's ruling class...

Right: Lithuania's FM Linas Linkevicius.

The sickle and hammer still frightens the hell out of the ruling class of Lithuania. In an anti-communist rant, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania  Linas Linkevicius called on US e-commerce giant "Amazon" to stop selling Soviet-themed goods online, saying the hammer and sickle symbol "offended victims of totalitarian communism".

In a statement to the AFP, Linkevicius repeated the known unfounded anti-communist slanders by saying: "It is offensive. Stalinist crimes are not sufficiently well understood. It is a matter of historical justice". 

Biz hazırız! Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) to mark its 99th anniversary on September 10

Biz hazırız! (We are ready!). Under this slogan, the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) leaves 99 years behind to reach its centennial on September 10.

According to soL portal, this week Boyun Egme ("Do not surrender"), the weekly publication of the party, explains that socialism is contemporary and TKP’s claim to establish an egalitarian social order is realizable.

As declared in the official website of the party, TKP says the party is ready for the struggle of a socialist revolution with the high organizational capacity of workers, intellectuals, and young people.

Amazon rainforest is burning — Bolsonaro is a modern Nero

An immense ecological disaster has been taking place for over two weeks in the "earth's lungs", the Amazon rainforest in South America. 

According to the estimations of Brazilian and Bolivian authorities, more than 500,000 acres of virgin forest have already been destroyed, thousands of wild animals have been killed and several local tribes have been affected. 

It must be noted that the area of Amazon covers 7.4 million square kilometres (5 million sq klm consist of dense rainforest), spreading to 9 countries including Brazil (60%), Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Equador, Paraguay, Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana. The huge rainforest of Amazon has been characteristed as the "earth's lungs", taking into account that it absorbs approximately 1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. 

KKE: Comment on Mitsotakis-Macron meeting

On the occasion of Thursday's meeting between the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, the Press Office of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) issued a statement.

The statement is the following:

"The declarations of K. Mitsotakis from Paris can be translated into new sacrifices for the Greek people in the altar of the profitability of the domestic and French capital. The reduction of taxes for the businesses and the pro-investment environment which is needed to attract french investments preoccupies a new attack on the workers-people's income, because someone has to "pay the bill". 

"U.S. warnings towards Greece over the Iranian tanker are unacceptable" - Statement of the KKE

In a statement issued today, the Press Office of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) strongly denounces as "unacceptable" the U.S. warnings towards the Greek government regarding the Iranian oil tanker "Adrian Darya". 

More specifically, as 902 portal reports, the statement writes:

"On the issue of the iranian oil tanker "Adrian Darya 1", which left the shores of Gibraltar and is sailing in the Mediterranean, the KKE regards as unacceptable the intervention of the U.S. and denounces the warnings towards the Greek and any other government in case the iranian tanker heads towards a Greek or other port.

Marco Rizzo responds to the anti-communist slanders of "Lega Nord" member

Marco Rizzo (left). On the right, Iacopi with Matteo Salvini.
Photo: lariscossa.com

Being a communist is "an incurable disease". This is what Emilio Iacopi, a local representative of Matteo Salvini's Northern League (Lega Nord) and a former sergeant of Italian police, wrote during an anti-communist rant on social media. 

According to La Riscossa, organ of the Communist Party, Italy (Partito Comunista), the General Secretary of the Communist Party Marco Rizzo responded to the hideous remarks of Iacopi. More specifically he wrote on Twitter:

Festa do Avante! 2019: Portugal's communist festival to be held on 6-8 September in Lisbon

Between 6 and 8 of September 2019 the district of Seixal in Lisbon will host the famous "Festa do Avante!", the annual festival of the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) also known as "Avante! Festival". 

The story of "Avante!" Festival, which is named after the official newspaper of the Portuguese Communist Party, goes back to 1976 and since then has been a great cultural and political event that attracks young men and women from all over Portugal as well as international delegations from communist parties from around the world. 

Marxist-Leninist Theory with Nikos Mottas | The Dictatorship of the Proletariat: A Higher Form of Democracy [Audio]

Venezuela's communists reject and condemn the escalation of the US economic blockade

PCV Categorically Rejects and Condemns the Escalation of the US Economic Blockade against Venezuela

Caracas, 08-08-2019/ DPI Press.

The Department of International Politics of the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) categorically rejects and condemns the imposition of new economic sanctions by the government of the United States on the Venezuelan State.

Poland's right-wing government honors WW2 Nazi collaborators

Polish officials and members of far-right groups attended the
event in Warsaw.

It has become a tradition for the bourgeois governments in the Baltic countries and Poland to pay tribute to various militant groups which collaborated with the Nazis in the Second World War. 

This time, it was the turn for the right-wing government of the ruling "Law and Justice" party in Poland to honor the veterans of the so-called "Holy Cross Mountains Brigade", an underground force that collaborated with Nazi German forces against the communists towards the end of the war. 

Solidarity with India's communists - Condemn the detention of Sitaram Yechury and D. Raja

Sitaram Yechury and D.Raja during a press conference
in Delhi.

In an outrageously authoritarian act, security forces in Srinagar airport proceeded to the detention of Sitaram Yechury, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and D. Raja, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India. 

The two leaders were on their way to meet Yusuf Tarigami, prominent cadre of CPI(M), MLA of Jammu & Kashmir Assembly, and to meet people from the region. In a press conference they said the government violated their democratic right to meet theircomrade. The moment they alighted from the flight, they were whisked away by security forces, their bags taken away and they were confined to a room. They were informed that they can't be allowed to step out of the airport because of the prevailing law and order situation in the State, they added.

Myths and reality about HBO's Chernobyl series

The series refer to the explosion that took place on April 26, 1986 in nuclear reactor no 4 of the Chernobyl power plant close to the city of Priyat in northern Ukraine. Although this highly-acclaimed US-British production manages to kindle the viewer's interest by gaining an unexpected impact, it is neither unique nor original. It consists a more "clever" and better elaborated effort to combat the communist ideology through anti-sovietism. 

Russia: Nostalgia towards the USSR and Stalin hits record high, Putin's popularity falls

More people in Russia view the late Brezhnev era of the Soviet Union as “close to the people” than they do President Vladimir Putin’s Russia, according to a survey by the independent Levada Center pollster.

Russians have expressed increasingly positive opinions about the Soviet Union over the years, with nostalgia toward the USSR and Stalin hitting record highs in recent months. Putin’s popularity has meanwhile been lagging amid widespread poverty and controversial pension reforms.

Poland's Communist Party (KPP) held its Fifth Congress in Bytom

On 21st of July, the day before the 75th anniversary of establishment of the Peoples’ Poland, the 5th Congress of the Communist Party of Poland was held in Bytom. It was attended by several dozen delegates of the regional structures of the Party and representative of the Communist Party of Greece, member of the European Parliament – Lefteris Nikolaou. Several other foreign parties i.a. from Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Denmark, Norway, Czech Republic and Lithuania, sent their letters for the Congress.

Μassacre in El-Obeid: Sudanese Communists condemn the crime and denounce the TMC

Following the new Massacre in Sudan's El-Obeid city, the Sudanese Communist Party issued the following statement: 

29 July 2019

• The Sudanese CP demands immediate halt to all talks with the Transitional Military Council (TMC)
• Opposition forces united in condemning the TMC Report on the June massacre
• Mass demonstrations in the capital and other major cities
• The masses call for immediate civilian rule

Bourgeois Justice: Ex-police guard who shot and killed 15-year old Alexis could soon be free

UPDATE: Ex-police officer Epaminondas Korkoneas, convicted murderer of 15 year-old Alexis Grigoropoulos, was released from prison on Tuesday evening, following the decision of Lamia's Court of Appeal. 

A Court of Appeal in the Greek city of Lamia on Monday upheld the conviction of police special guard Epaminondas Korkoneas for the deadly shooting in December 2008 of 15 year-old Alexis Grigoropoulos in the downtown Athens district of Exarchia but reduced the term from life to 13 years.

The 45th KNE-Odigitis festival to be held on 19-21 September in Athens

KNE-Odigitis festival in Athens (Archive Photo).

With the struggles, the dreams, our power....we will build a world that is free, open, full of hope". These words by Nazim Hikmet consist the major slogan of the 45th KNE-Odigitis festival which is organized by the Communist Youth of Greece (KNE), the youth wing of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE).

Events by KNE have been scheduled in numerous cities and towns across Greece during August and September. In the country's second largest city, Thessaloniki, the festivities will take place on 12-14th of September including a large political event addressed by the General Secretary of the KKE Dimitris Koutsoumbas. 

Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) votes in favor of Trump's war budget

The much-celebrated star of U.S. social democracy, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez  (AOC) recently endorsed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019 which is actually a deal between the Trump administration and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. 

By a bipartisan vote of 284-149, the House approved the bill, sending it to the Senate, which is expected to debate it next week. Among other issues, the bill adds billions of dollars to military spending thus including about $738 billion for fiscal 2020 which is a 3 percent increase from current year levels. 

¡No, señores imperialistas...!: President Miguel Díaz-Canel blasts U.S. imperialist aggression

Cuba will not betray its friends, warned President Miguel Diaz-Canel Friday in a speech pronounced on National Rebellion Day in the eastern Granma province.

He affirmed it in the commemoration of the 66th anniversary of the attacks on Moncada barracks, in Santiago de Cuba, and Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, in Bayamo, a feat led by Fidel Castro and which started the Cuban Revolution.