Ukraine: U.S. Backed Rightists Retreat From Occupied Buildings and Barricades

[Photo: Graffiti of U.S. backed Euromiden protesters during retreat, showing the swastika-like symbol of one of the movement's three leading parties working in coalition, the neo-Nazi Svoboda Party.]


Ukraine: U.S. Backed Rightists Retreat From Occupied Buildings and Barricades

EU and US Backed Protesters in Ukraine Hated Women, Jews, Russians, Poles, Unions, Democracy, and Immigrants

by Steven Argue

On Friday the Ukrainian government released 243 prisoners arrested in the Euromaiden riots. In the riots, protesters committed massive vandalism including the destruction of Lenin statues, took over buildings, beat police with clubs, lit cops on fire with Molotov cocktails, and shot at cops with guns. One police officer was killed by gunshot. The freed protesters were facing charges of up to 15 years in prison.

Elected Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych agreed to drop the charges against these protesters in exchange for protesters leaving the government buildings they had overtaken and occupied by force. Protesters agreed to this over the weekend.

There was a divide within Ukraine about how to deal with these riots which never represented majority opinion. Many wanted a state of emergency called and the military brought in against the lawless protesters who had violently attacked labor activists and feminists (accompanied by shouts “shavky” – a neo-Nazi slang word for left and anti-fascist activists), marched under the slogan of “Beat the Jews” while anti-Semitic speeches are given from the podiums, and declared the Communist Party and its symbols illegal (despite having no authority to do so).

There is no doubt that open U.S. aid and U.S. backing to this movement gave it more strength. This included Democrats and Republicans standing on podiums in Kiev along side open neo-Nazis, U.S. aid to non-governmental organizations that supported the riots, Obama threatening economic sanctions if force was used against the riots, and Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine caught in a leaked recording openly discussing the composition of a future coup government led by riot leaders.

The United States and the European Union were trying to impose an economic deal worse than the one offered by Russia through a coup d'etate. The conditions that would have imposed would have greatly hurt the Ukrainian working class, just as the EU has devastated the working class in Greece. In addition, the conditions of EU membership would not have allowed Ukrainians free movement in the European Union, giving the country of Ukraine and its citizens only second class status in the EU.

While the U.S. backed rightist uprising seems to be in retreat, the damage done, in part through U.S. intervention, may be immense. The neo-Nazi Svoboda Party has made gains in winning people to their cause through this uprising. Those gains are expected to be reflected in future elections. Svoboda is a completely anti-Semitic, anti-labor, misogynistic, anti-Polish, and anti-Russian party, so all of these groups will suffer as Svoboda strengthens. This will be inflicted both through violence in the streets and through potential legislation.

One example of the misogyny of Svoboda can be seen in their attempt to outlaw abortion. Currently in Ukraine abortion is legal on demand in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. A bill introduced by Svoboda would have outlawed abortion except in rare cases like rape. When a Svoboda representative in parliament was asked what kind of proof a woman would have to show to prove rape, he answered:

“I do not work in the law enforcement and do not know what a woman can or cannot prove… But first of all, [she] should lead such a lifestyle as to not be exposed to the risk of rape. In particular, [she should not be] drinking alcohol beverages in a questionable company.”

Blaming the victims of rape in the 21st century along side attempting to ban abortion. This is pure misogyny being strengthened by U.S. support similar to U.S. support of rebels in Syria who are fighting against a semi-secular government, trying to impose an Islamic one that will establish an anti-woman Sharia (Islamic) law.

Protesters (not Euromaiden) have opposed attempts at banning of abortion in Ukraine. In response, Archbishop Evstratiy, head of the propaganda department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church said of pro-choice demonstrators:

“No doubt, this organization’s act repulses me. At the same time, understand that there are forces that want faith, religion, and church to be locked in temples, like they were under the Soviets, not to engage in any public activities, and not to offer any spiritual and moral values to society.”

Unfortunately, once again, U.S. imperialist intervention is giving strength to the most reactionary religious fanatics of a misogynistic, chauvinistic, anti-socialist, anti-secular, and anti-democratic nature.

Fortunately, the U.S. backed proxies in Ukraine are in retreat and this could give breathing room for people to organize defense militias against fascist attacks as well as a revolutionary party opposed to both the capitalist government of President Viktor Yanukovych and the three rightist parties that led the Euromaiden riots.

US, EU, and IMF Out of Ukraine!

End U.S. Imperialism Through Socialist Revolution in The United States!

For more on Ukraine, read my recent articles:

Imperialists Out of Ukraine! Stop Supporting Neo-Nazis! (In depth article)
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2014/01/26/18749806.php

Ukraine: Leaked Phone Call Confirms U.S. Role in Planning a Future Coup Government
https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2014/02/09/18750532.php

Ukraine Holocaust Memorial Canceled Out Of Fear U.S. Backed Anti-Semites
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2014/01/29/18749979.php