by Phil Wilayto, Odessa Solidarity Campaign
On May 2, 2014, the people of Odessa, Ukraine, experienced the worst civil atrocity in Europe since World War II. Scores of people died when a fascist-led mob chased a group of progressive activists into the five-story House of Trade Unions in Kulikovo Pole (square) – and then set it on fire. Some died from the flames, some from smoke inhalation, some from gunshot wounds. Some leapt from the building, only to be beaten to death when they hit the ground. Dozens of cellphone videos posted on the Internet clearly show that this was a mass lynching. Just google “May 2, 2014, Odessa.”
But even though many of the attackers’ faces are clearly visible on the videos, to date not one of the perpetrators has been brought to justice – while victims who survived the fire still languish in prison, many without ever being charged with a crime. Relatives and supporters of those who died on May 2 have steadfastly demanded justice in the form of an international investigation to identify and punish those responsible for the massacre. To date, the Ukrainian government has refused to cooperate with any international body trying to pursue such an investigation.
This May 2 marked the fourth anniversary of the massacre. In Odessa, thousands of people came to Kulikovo Pole to pay their respects for those who died there, defying threats by neo-Nazi organizations who had threatened to attack them.
This month, solidarity actions are taking place across Europe and the United States, honoring those who died on May 2, 2014, and supporting the demand of the people of Odessa for an international investigation.
UNAC’s Odessa Solidarity Campaign, in collaboration with solidarity organizations in Europe, has written a report of these actions, with photos and videos.
Report on 2018 Actions Honoring Those Who Died in Odessa on May 2, 2014
[pdf-embedder url=”https://notowar.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/May_Actions_2018-Report.pdf”]
Solidarity with the People of Odessa!
Justice for the Victims of the Massacre of May 2!
US, EU, NATO & IMF out of Ukraine!
No to Fascism – from Charlottesville to Odessa!