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November 11, 2017 - No. 36 Significance of Remembrance Day and the Cause of Peace
Significance of Great October Socialist Revolution Continues to Grow Remembrance Day and the Cause of Peace
On November 11, 1918, Germany signed the Armistice that officially ended World War I, which was originally referred to as "the Great War." This date is commemorated as Remembrance Day and the slogan used to mark Remembrance Day is "Never Again." This refers to the great slaughter in that war of the soldiers sent as cannon fodder from all sides. Despite this, another great war took place less than three decades later, another great slaughter. The meaning of Never Again was understood very differently by the imperialists than by the people, not only then but now. The people know there is an alternative to war, provided by the Great October Socialist Revolution in 1917. In fact, this Revolution showed in a concrete way that the entire world is in transition from one system to another. Nineteen seventeen marked that transit point where one society passes into another. It was a period full of every kind of conflict. In Europe, the First World War was taking place. It was the most brutal war known to that date and involved a large number of countries, not only in Europe, but in Asia, Africa, Oceania and North America. At the same time, the workers, peasants and others were in revolt. There were revolutionary crises in Italy and Germany, as well as a war of national independence in Ireland, and workers' struggles in Scotland and various other places. The ferment was widespread, reflecting in a serious way that these kinds of conditions could not carry on, that the situation had to change. Within this framework, one of the demands of the
revolution
in Russia was for peace, a slogan which has not disappeared. Another
demand of that revolution was for bread, and economic security has
remained one of the constant
demands of the people in every country in the world. Those features of
the revolution which ended the feudal
aristocracy and brought democracy to Russia became a standard of
democracy in the 20th century. Since that time there has been a
definition of democracy and its requirements within each country and
internationally that demand the elimination of the role of privilege
and the establishment of equality and a people's power on a modern
basis. Most importantly, this revolution brought forth a
new society, a socialist society, which was constructed in Russia
after 1917 and from 1922 within what came to be known as the
Soviet Union. The consequences of the 1917 revolution became the
fighting ground for the whole period to come. Since 1917, for 100
years, the struggle has been between one society trying to come
into being and the other society passing away. This is a struggle
which, with the retreat of revolution following the collapse of the
former Soviet Union and People's Democracies in eastern Europe, has now
once again assumed great significance on the world scale. But at the time of the Russian Revolution, from the
outset the bourgeoisie of the belligerent nations would not countenance
losing control over lands and resources they coveted. Before the
revolution of October 1917,
the Russian bourgeoisie, which was brought to power after the
Revolution that took place in February 1917, was unable to think
of anything better than to continue the policy of the detested
tsar in all its essentials. This included the policy of war "to a
victorious finish" -- even though the war with Germany and Austria was
beyond the country's
strength and had reduced the people and the army to a state of
utter exhaustion. After 1917, in order to consolidate the Soviet power,
the
state of war had to be ended for, more
than anything else, it was hampering this consolidation. The
Bolshevik Party therefore launched the fight for peace from the
moment of the victory of the October Revolution, and the Russian
working class led by the Bolsheviks and V.I. Lenin immediately
took Russia out of that imperialist war. Amongst other things,
the people's power refused to pay debts that had been incurred
for the continuation of the war of conquest and which had placed
the country in bondage to foreign capital. Lenin also revealed
all the secret unequal treaties between the big powers and
delivered on the promises for peace, bread and land. In this way,
the Bolsheviks showed what it meant to stand for peace not just
in word but in deed. It entailed a life and death struggle to
come to terms with one's own oppressors so as to make a
contribution to the great cause of world peace. It gave the
working class around the world a banner of their own to rally
around so as to also make a real contribution to peace.
Build an Anti-War Government!
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Never Again. What does it mean to
the bourgeoisie of the
imperialist countries which are engaged in perpetual wars of
aggression and occupation against the peoples in practically
every region of the world and who brandish nuclear weapons to
threaten any peoples who refuse to come under their dictate?
Today, their actions speak louder than their words of the kind of
peace they seek to impose on the world.
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It was in St. Petersburg that the October Revolution was
launched November 7, 1917. A warning shot fired from the battleship
Aurora signalled the start of the Revolution, the ship's spotlight
trained on the Winter Palace which had served as the seat of the
Provisional Russian Government since February that year. The city,
renamed Leningrad after the revolution, is now with the retreat of
revolution called St. Petersburg once again.
A delegation of the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) joined the celebrations organized by the CPRF in St. Petersburg and Moscow and can testify to the spirit of determination for renewal which imbued all the events.
Included among the celebratory events organized in St. Petersburg were visits to the Aurora, the Smolny Institute and the State Hermitage Museum. The Smolny Institute served as the headquarters of the Bolshevik Central Committee during the first months of the October Revolution. The legendary Second All-Russia Congress of Soviets of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies was held in its Great Hall immediately after the overthrow of the provisional government. It was here that the banner "All Power to the Soviets of the Workers', Soldiers' and Peasants' Deputies" was first raised in response to Lenin's call, and where the Bolsheviks' revolutionary decrees on Peace and Land were adopted. Today the Smolny Institute houses the Lenin Museum as well as offices of the municipal government.
Top: Smolny Institute; bottom: Lenin's desks in his study and office.
The State Hermitage Museum located in the former Winter Palace of the tsars, is home to one of the largest art collections in the world, and currently has a powerful special exhibition dedicated to the centenary of the Great October Socialist Revolution.
State Hermitage Museum
Gala Concert in St. Petersburg
On November 3, the CPRF held a gala evening and
magnificent concert to celebrate in song, poetry, dance, acrobatics and
dramatic visual imagery the Great October Revolution and the many
achievements it made possible. The concert, at Oktyabrsky Grand Concert
Hall, was attended by 5,000 people. To see videos of the concert click here.
Moscow Events
The festivities organized by the CPRF continued in Moscow from November 5 to 7. They included a gala concert on November 5 in Rossiya Concert Hall that was attended by 7,000 people, an important international forum on November 6, and a march and rally in Revolution Square on November 7.
During the celebrations, the delegations of foreign parties visited the tomb of the unknown soldier and paid respects to the memory of V.I. Lenin at his mausoleum in Red Square. It was also the honour of many, including the delegation of CPC(M-L), to pay respects at the tomb of J.V. Stalin, who led socialist construction on the Leninist path until he died in 1953. Stalin was also the architect of the victory of the Great Patriotic War in which the Soviet Union with utmost heroism bore the brunt of the battle of the world's people to defeat Nazi-fascism in Europe and contributed to the defeat of Japanese militarism in Asia. Flowers were also laid at the tombs of other leaders of the Soviet Union.
The November 5 gala evening opened with the
presentation of the Lenin Prize
of
the Central Committee of the CPRF to 15
individuals in recognition of their special contributions to
socially significant activity, including achievements in
advanced production, social practice, scientific research and
cultural activities. The prize also recognizes work that furthers
the study and popularization of Marxist-Leninist philosophical
knowledge and contributes to upholding historical truth and
combating the falsification of the history of the Soviet Union
and the communist movement. The presentations were followed by a
magnificent tribute to the Great October Socialist Revolution in
song, dance, spoken word and dramatic visual images, with members
of the audience often joining in singing the songs. For videos
of the concert click here.
Presentation of Lenin Prize by Gennady Zyuganov, First Secretary of the
Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation.
On November 6, the international forum "October 1917:
Breakthrough Towards Socialism" was attended by 133 parties and
progressive organizations from around the world.
Among those who addressed the forum and reaffirmed the
significance and continuing relevance of the Great October Revolution,
the teachings and example of the great V.I. Lenin, and socialism as the
way forward were representatives of parties whose governments are in
the heat of battle, defending their right to self-determination and
independence and resisting the brutal attempts of U.S. imperialism to
force regime change on their countries and destroy them through
economic, military and other forms of warfare. Notable among these were
representatives of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), the
Communist Party of Cuba and the Ba'ath Party of Syria.
November 7 Events
On November 7, the official annual military parade took place in Red Square. This event includes a re-enactment of the 1941 WWII military parade on the 24th anniversary of the Great October Revolution at which J.V. Stalin issued a rousing call to the Red army to fight the Nazi invaders. Stalin called on the Red Army to take up the great mission that had fallen to them of liberating the motherland and the enslaved peoples of Europe from the yoke of the German invaders. From the parade in Red Square the 28,500 assembled troops marched directly to the front lines of the battle on the outskirts of Moscow, marking an important turning point in the war. This year's re-enactment marked the 76th anniversary of the historic 1941 parade in Red Square. For video of Stalin delivering 1941 speech click here.
Despite the annual parade and re-enactment, November 7 is no longer a state holiday in Russia. In its stead, in 2005 Putin declared November 4 "National Unity Day" and made it a national holiday. This year he delivered a speech for the occasion emphasizing unity, cooperation, patriotism and preserving the ethnic and cultural identity of Russia's diverse population.
The parade and re-enactment in Red Square were followed
later in the day by a march and rally organized by the CPRF. Thousands
of local communists and other patriotic forces marched together with
representatives of communist and progressive organizations from around
the world through the streets of downtown Moscow. A sea of red flags
and banners caught the eye, accompanied by the chanting of slogans
until the march reached Revolution Square where a spirited rally was
held celebrating the centenary of the October Revolution.
Canada
Celebrations of the Centenary of the Great October Revolution were held in many cities across the country in the form of meetings, parties and film showings.
Toronto
The celebration organized in Toronto on November 4 led
the way in bringing together people from many organizations and fields
of endeavour to celebrate a cause they all hold in common. The brief
presentation by the National Leader of the Marxist-Leninist Party of
Canada (MLPC) Anna Di Carlo set a militant tone and was much
appreciated. A delegation from the Parti marxiste-léniniste du
Québec provided a lively choral presentation.
Bill Mahoney, resident poet of USW Local 1005, recited
several of his poems. He was part of a large delegation from Hamilton
of steelworkers, members of other unions and community organizations.
Other well-known Canadian poets also contributed readings of topical
poems. Peter Page, Executive Vice-President of the Ontario Network of
Injured Workers’ Groups brought his greetings and a song. The words of
greeting by Kathleen Chandler, General Secretary of the United States
Marxist-Leninist Organization were well-received.
The publication Northstar Compass, which contributed historical photos to the display throughout the hall, also sent its greetings. Other musical contributions at the event included a moving tribute by a Salvadoran musician from Ottawa to Ernesto Che Guevara on the 50th anniversary of his assassination, as well as songs by musicians and singers from the MLPC known as the Fireweed Ensemble, and singers and an accordion player from a local Russian youth choir. A delegation of Filipino patriots from Bayan (the New Patriotic Alliance) brought greetings and added to the musical program. Good food and lively conversation as well as a display of revolutionary posters from the time of the revolution, socialist construction and the anti-fascist war all combined to a making the celebration a memorable event.
Windsor
The celebration in Windsor featured the film October: Ten Days that Shook the World, along with remarks by representatives of the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada.
Halifax
The Halifax event featured a screening of the film October: Ten Days that Shook the World by Sergei Eisenstein, along with speakers and discussion. 
Edmonton
In Edmonton, people held a celebratory dinner.
Calgary
In Calgary, a double feature of Battleship
Potemkin and October: Ten Days that Shook the World was
organized by the Student Empowerment Committee at Mount Royal
University on November 7. A celebration dinner was also held November
10. 
Other events across the country included a screening of October:
Ten
Days
that
Shook
the
World in Gatineau organized by the Joseph
Montferrand Collective on October 25, with a similar event held
November 9 in Ottawa. Activists with the International League of
Peoples' Struggle held a
celebration in Vancouver November 10 at the Russian Hall.
Europe
Donetsk People's Republic (Ukraine)
Lugansk People's Republic (Ukraine)
Norway
Spain
Turkey
Asia
Pakistan
Philippines
Vietnam
Beijing, China
Latin America
Cuba
Venezuela
(Photos: TML, KPRF, IWCP, RT, Telesur, Granma, Red Star Over Donbass, G. Butterfield, Xinhua, PCPE, Youth for October, A. Singh, UMA Pilipinas.)
Trudeau Government's Support for Foreign Interference in Canadian Politics
Foreign Financing for the Anti-Communist
Monument -- A Matter
of Great Concern
Protest against the
anti-communist monument on Parliament Hill, September 19, 2015. (E.
Schulzke)
After more than nine years of fraudulent Cold War propaganda to win support for an anti-communist monument, first by the Harper Conservatives and taken up now by the Trudeau Liberals, it is clear that Canadians reject this despicable and extremist campaign.
Having failed to raise money or support from Canadians, it has been reported that Tribute to Liberty, a private organization that has links to Latvian Nazi collaborators[1], is receiving funds from foreign governments and sources to build the anti-communist monument.
On November 2, Heritage Canada held a dedication at the site west of the Garden of the Provinces on Wellington Street in Ottawa where the monument is to be located. Attending the ceremony was Taiwan's representative to Canada who used the occasion to donate U.S.$25,000 to Tribute to Liberty.
Ludwik Klimkowsky, head of Tribute to Liberty, thanked
Taiwan
for its contribution and acknowledged that donations had
also been received from Hungary, Latvia, Estonia, Georgia,
Poland, Ukraine and the Czech Republic.[2]
Latvia, Estonia and Ukraine in particular are known for public
celebrations of those who collaborated with the Nazis or were part of
Nazi formations during the Second World War. Many of the governments in
these Eastern European countries have sought to diminish or distort the
role of the Soviet Red Army in their liberation from the Nazis. Poland
for example, actively promotes the Nazi lie that the "Katyn Massacre"
was carried out by the Red Army, rather than the Nazis themselves. For
its part, Taiwan, as the seat of power for the reactionary KMT deposed
by the communists in the Chinese civil war and propped up by the U.S.
imperialists, established the Asian People's Anti-Communist League in
1954 with the governments of the Philippines and south Korea. It was
expanded in 1966 into the World Anti-Communist League, and renamed the
World League for Freedom & Democracy in 1990. Its offices are
located in Taiwan, and its current president, Vice President and
Secretary General are all from Taiwan and are all former members of the
Legislative Yuan.
The fact that a large portion of the money in Tribute to Liberty's bank account comes from such virulently anti-communist foreign sources, also exposes the fraudulent declarations of the Trudeau government that the Canadian people approve of this anti-communist hysteria. Nothing could be further from the truth. With such shady backers, the government only succeeds in exposing its own Nazi schemes and its betrayal of those Canadians and peace-loving people all over the world who sacrificed so much to defeat fascism in the Second World War.
No one can forget that this anti-communist monument is being built at a time when the Trudeau government is actively participating in U.S. and NATO schemes, fomenting war on the borders of Russia.
Thousands of Canadian troops have
been sent to Eastern Europe
(Ukraine and Latvia) to participate in military exercises and
other provocative actions such as "training" the armed forces of the
Kiev government, much of which is comprised of Nazi militias.
In order to justify these nefarious activities in support of imperialist ambitions of the U.S. in the region, the Canadian government in alliance with extremist governments in Eastern Europe, is waging an assault on the consciousness of the people by trying to rewrite history and erase from the collective memory the historical significance of the struggle against the fascist aggression of the Axis powers and the leading and decisive role played by the Soviet Union in the victory over fascism in WWII.
It is a well-known fact that these same East European countries who are financing the anti-communist monument in Canada are also building monuments in their own countries to honour the memory of those who collaborated with Nazi Germany during the war. Meanwhile at home, the Trudeau government is silent in the face of exposures of monuments to similar Nazi collaborators in Canada.[3] To justify all this worldwide there is an effort to paint Nazi collaborators as "patriots" who fought communism. These war criminals are the "victims of communism" who Justin Trudeau and Tribute to Liberty want to honour with a memorial in Ottawa. This cannot be allowed to pass!
Adding "Canada, a Land of Refuge" to the name of the monument is another part of the fraudulent campaign to pull the wool over people's eyes.
History shows that refugees have never been welcome in Canada based on humanitarian needs and considerations. Vietnamese and Hungarian refugees, to name just two, are examples of how the dire situation to which people were subjected, was used to further the Cold War anti-communist propaganda of U.S. imperialism, promoting lies and distortions that all these people were escaping "evils of communism."
These lies can never cover up the facts about the role of the wars of aggression and for regime change, waged by the U.S. and its lackeys like Canada, in causing economic disasters and dislocation of millions of people driven out of their homes.
The example of the Hungarian government shows the shameless hypocrisy of these ruthless thugs who claim to be the greatest defenders of democracy. In August 2015, the Hungarian government donated CAD$121,000 to Tribute to Liberty, for the anti-communist monument, the largest single donation to date. In making the donation a minister of the Hungarian government said this was to recognize Canada's generous act of granting safe haven to 43,000 Hungarian refugees who fled at the time of "1956 revolution."
The shameless fraud of these anti-communist extremists is exposed for all to see because the same Hungarian government which praises Canada as a land of refuge, refused to help the refugees resulting from U.S.-led destruction of countries of North Africa and the Middle East in dire need on their own borders. Hungarian authorities installed razor wire fences and used tear gas and water cannons to attack refugees from Syria and other countries who have been driven out of their homes and risked their lives crossing the Mediterranean. Meanwhile the Hungarian government is also well-known for its racist targeting of the Roma, which has caused many to flee the country as refugees. A similar situation exists in the Czech Republic.
The Canadian government's war mongering actions in East Europe and its links with such criminal elements, facilitating their interference in Canadian politics for war-mongering aims is an affront to Canadians. The Trudeau government must be held to account.
No to the Anti-Communist Monument!
Canada Needs an
Anti-War Government!
Note
1. See "Tribute
to
Liberty's
Definition
of
Victims
of
Communism,"
TML Weekly, March
18, 2017.
2. Some of the donations reported are: Czech Republic --
$20,000 and Latvia -- $14,000.
Exact amounts of other donations by foreign countries have not
been revealed.
3. In addition to Canada's Foreign Minister expressing her undying respect for her Nazi collaborating grandfather, David Pugliese writing in the Ottawa Citizen has raised concerns of attempts to deny the significance of monuments in Canada to Ukranian Nazi collaborators of the SS Galizien Division.
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Website: www.cpcml.ca Email: editor@cpcml.ca