Norway – Kampkomiteen: Anti-imperialist May Day Marked Throughout the Country
We hereby share an unofficial translation of a report on the 1st of May manifestations carried out by Kampkomiteen, published by Tjen Folket Media on the 2nd of May.
This year’s manifestations have a special focus on promoting the recently founded International Anti-Imperialist League (AIL), as well as showing solidarity with the People’s War being waged in India, led by the Communist Party of India (Maoist).
Below we share excerpts from the reports.
Oslo
Kampkomiteen in Oslo writes that they “marked the The International Day of Struggle of the Working Class on May 1 in an internationalist and anti-imperialist spirit, with their own manifestation in collaboration with other organizations and by participating in the LO’s [Translator’s note: Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions, main union of the country] event at Youngstorget. The day began with an anti-imperialist rally at Grønland Square featuring speeches, songs, and slogans. (…) The rally was held under the common main slogan ‘Workers and oppressed peoples of all countries, unite!’. Kampkomiteen also participated with the slogan ‘Struggle against the Indian state’s war on the people!’. A recurring theme in the speeches—from Iran to Sudan and Palestine—was a consistent condemnation of imperialism. Through the speeches and flyers, Kampkomiteen announced the news of the founding of the International Anti-Imperialist League and the slogan ‘Anti-imperialists in all countries, unite!’”
Organizations participating in the event included the Anti-Imperialist League, Voice of Tunguli Organization, Kampkomiteen, the Free Palestine Association, Solidarity with the Revolution in Iran, the Sudanese Women’s Union, Students for Palestine, Student Intifada, Kandaka Union Norway, the Workers’ Socialist Organization of Afghanistan, Met for Palestine, the Woman, Life, Freedom Committee, the Revolutionary Communist League, Resistencia Intifada, Sudanese Human Rights Activists – Norway, and the Handala Association.
Read the full report here.
Bergen
Kampkomiteen in Bergen writes: “In unusually beautiful sunny weather, several hundred people took part in the Anti-Imperialist March, with ‘Support the people’s struggle in India and Palestine! USA – Hands off Iran!’ as the main slogan for the march and the anti-imperialist May Day demonstration. Activists from Touki, Kampkomiteen, Bergen4Palestine, and the Revolutionary Communist League gathered early in the day for a joint anti-imperialist May Day breakfast. […]. At 11:00 a.m., the anti-imperialist demonstration began. Among the organizers and affiliated organizations were the Anti-Imperialist League, Kampkomiteen, Bergen4Palestine, the Revolutionary Communist League, People Against Fossil Power, Socialist Youth, Scientist Rebellion, the Worker-Communist Party of Iran – Hekmatist (Official Line), Red Youth, and the Red Student and Workers’ Front. The demonstration began with a speech by the Anti-Imperialist League. This was followed by speeches from Bergen4Palestine, the Revolutionary Communist League, Socialist Youth, and Kampkomiteen. […]. From Nonneseter, the procession marched to Grieghallen for the flag display, and from there to the LO demonstration at Torgallmenningen. (…).
In the Anti-Imperialist Bloc, there were banners reading “Anti-imperialists of all countries, unite!” flanked by the banners of the Anti-Imperialist League: “Down with Operation Kagaar! – Long live the New Democratic Revolution in India!” and “Support the Palestinian resistance!” The bloc was filled with red and Palestinian flags, and the participants marked the day with a clear anti-imperialist and class-conscious stance. After the LO march concluded, the bloc gathered at The Blue Rock, where slogans continued to be chanted against the Norwegian State, the US, and Israel, and in support of Palestine, anti-imperialist unity, and grassroots organizing. There was a call to strengthen the anti-imperialist front locally, nationally, and internationally in the service of the struggle to eradicate imperialism from the face of the earth. Anti-imperialists from various organizations gathered after the march for an anti-imperialist cultural evening. There were lively discussions, joyful socializing among the participants, and a well-received meal. (…). Anti-Imperialist May Day brought together 10 organizations, dozens of activists, and hundreds of anti-imperialists under the red flags of the working class and the banners of the Anti-Imperialist Federation. Despite strong winds, the bloc’s slogans were raised high for all in the streets of Bergen to see.”
Read the full report here.
Trondheim
Kampkomiteen in Trondheim reports that they “marked The International Day of Struggle of the Working Class in support of the people’s struggles in Palestine and India. The activists began the day with an anti-imperialist and internationalist rally on Nordre Street together with several other organizations. Kampkomiteen participated with the slogans ‘Support the Palestinian resistance struggle – Free Palestine!’ and ‘Support the people’s struggle in India!,’ as well as hand-held posters bearing the Anti-Imperialist League’s logo. (…). Music was played, self-written poems were recited, and three speeches were delivered. The speeches were delivered by representatives from the Academic Network for Palestine at NTNU, the Socialist Forum, and Kampkomiteen, and Kampkomiteen’s speech was based on the statement ‘Forward for an anti-imperialist May Day!’. (…). After the anti-imperialist rally, the demonstrators moved on to participate in the international section of the May Day march, which was very large this year. (…) Here, slogans were chanted against imperialism and in support of the people’s struggle in Palestine and India, such as ‘support the people’s struggle in India,’ ‘from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,’ ‘no peace without freedom, no freedom without struggle, crush imperialism,’ ‘long live the struggle for new democracy, the people of India will break free,’ and ‘resistance against state and capital, the struggle for liberation is international!’¨. (…).
Read the full report here.
Kristiansand
Kampkomiteen in Kristiansand writes that they “participated in the May Day march in Kristiansand with the slogan ‘Support the Palestinian resistance,’ red and Palestinian flags, and the banner of the Anti-Imperialist League (AIL).” Throughout the entire route, slogans such as ‘international solidarity—the unity of the struggle of the working class,’ ‘organize class hatred—all power to the proletariat,’ ‘fight, resist—raise the red flag,’ and ‘Israel has blood on its hands—Free Palestine, the U.S. has blood on its hands, Norway has blood on its hands – Crush imperialism’ were shouted forcefully. Several organizations joined in chanting the slogans.”
Read the full report here.
