Finland: Reports on 1st of May
We hereby share a compilation of reports published by Punalippu.
Tampere: Fierce struggle to defend the 1st of May – police protected the mobilization of fascists with a projectile weapon
We publish pictures and an unofficial translation of a report published by the Anti-imperialist Collective on Instagram (@antiimperialistinenkollektiivi).
The headline of this article has been corrected on the 3rd of May.
The AIC took part in the anti-fascist block organized by the Tampere against fascism-coalition at the traditional 1st of May march in Tampere. The AIC had some own slogans, such as “Long live the People’s War in India, the Philippines, Turkey and Peru!”, “No two state solution – one free Palestine!”, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!”. The slogans were widely joined and there was an unified spirit at the march.
On the 1st of May, a strong anti-fascist mobilization was seen against the “White 1st of May”1 organized by the Blue-Black Movement. Despite fascist mobilization from all over the country and from different organizations, such as the “Active Club” and “Soldiers of Odin”, their mobilization remained at 50 people. The anti-fascist mobilization was attended by around 200 people.
The anti-fascists harassed the “White 1st of May” from the beginning to the end and the fascists were pushed to the farthest corner at Jugendtori. Anti-fascists shouted for example “Not blue, not white – 1st of May is red and international!”, “Red Tampere!”, “The 1st of May belongs to us, not fascists!” and “Death to fascism, freedom for the people!”. Antifascists also pointed out the illegality which the state power commits by enforcing the freedom of assembly of the fascists (referring to the Paris peace treaty).
The police of Finnish imperialism realized this fascist illegality and arbitrariness with increasing violence. According to the information of the AIC, the police has shot at least three people with the FN303-projectile weapon. Of these three, at least one was a bystander. Two of the shot are injured and at least one of them had to go to the hospital. One of the shot was also shot while they were already on the ground.
In addition to this, the police has tried to intimidate the anti-fascists by presenting their face to the fascists. According to the information of the AIC, the antifascists have also been presented with made-up charges. It is completely clear that where fascism marches, supported by state violence and repression, there even more intense resistance must be waged.
Down with the arbitrariness! Complete support to the victims of police violence! United front against fascism!
In addition, the AIC has shared some videos from other sources, which show the combativeness of the antifascist mobilization:
Source of the video: @palestiina.fi on Instagram
Source of the video: @varisverkosto on Instagram
Punalippu has reported today on this demonstration and shared more pictures:
We have received additional information and images regarding the battle to defend May Day in Tampere.
A reader present at the scene describes the strength of the antifascist mobilization, confirming what AIC reported earlier. The torches, eggs, and red paint-filled balloons thrown by antifascists forced the fascists to retreat to the far corner of Jugendtorin. At least one police officer was also hit in the face by an egg. The reader describes how passersby joined the antifascists defending the red May Day and the anti-fascist symbols. The antifascists also successfully exposed the fascists to those passersby who had received their propaganda, prompting them to express their anger against the fascists. An eyewitness also confirms that the fascists were beaten back several times into the protection of the police as they attempted to attack the passersby during their march. Additionally, the eyewitness reports that the police attempted to make arrests while moving among the protesters in plain clothes.
In conclusion, our reader writes:
“At the forefront of the antifascist movement, a red flag bearing the hammer and sickle was carried, which the police confiscated but was returned by antifascists representing different ideologies. Everyone took turns shouting common slogans and each other’s chants. This all demonstrates a strong testament to the struggling spirit and united front. International Workers’ Day received a worthy expression of struggle in Tampere. The struggle against the ‘white May Day’ resulted in an even redder May Day, literally.”
Helsinki: Anti-Imperialist First of May of 2025
We share the report and photos published by Anti-imperialists – Helsinki on Instagram (@antiimperialists_helsinki).
“This year on May Day, we first participated in the May Day march in Helsinki, after which we organized our own event at Stoan Square. During the May Day march, we formed our anti-imperialist bloc and distributed our May Day leaflets along with those from @lumonlukionantiimperialistit. Our chants during the march included, among others, “Long live the armed resistance of the Palestinian people!”, “From the river to the sea, death to Zionism!”, and “Al-Qassam, oh dear, destroy Tel Aviv!”. Those around us joined in our chants. The slogan of our May Day leaflets was “Towards an anti-imperialist May Day!” and they rejected the misery promised by imperialism to workers, oppressed nations, women, and youth, as well as how to struggle against imperialism, highlighting examples of people’s wars and Palestine. At our own event, we grilled, discussed with the masses, listened to music, distributed more leaflets, and one of our activists read our leaflet aloud. Our event captured the interest and sympathy of the masses, and many stopped to talk and eat with us. See you again on May 3rd at 4 PM at Stoan Square!”
