Today marks one year since the massacre in the Trade Union house in Odessa.
From Ukraine to Australia: Thousands worldwide pay
tribute to Odessa massacre
victims
2
May, 2015
A huge crowd, including the relatives of the victims, gathered in front of the Trade Unions building and released black balloons and doves in air. According to local media, the rally in Odessa was attended by around 5,000 people.
A huge crowd, including the relatives of the victims, gathered in front of the Trade Unions building and released black balloons and doves in air. According to local media, the rally in Odessa was attended by around 5,000 people.
The
people held banners reading “fascism won’t pass” and “no to
political repressions,” with some carrying photos of journalist
Oles Buzina and politician Oleg Kalashnikov, who were assassinated in
Kiev last month.
In
the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, some 2,000 people marched to honor the
victims of the tragedy in an action entitled ‘Kiev Remembers
Odessa.’
The
people were carrying photos of those who died in the fire, as well as
pictures of Buzina and Kalashnikov.
Several
arrests were made during the demonstration, with the Kiev police
saying that they “invited the men to a local police station”.
They were later released.
March
to honor the victims of the Odessa massacre in Ukrainian capital Kiev
on May 2, 2015.March to honor the victims of the Odessa massacre in
Ukrainian capital Kiev on May 2, 2015.
Earlier,
reports emerged on social media that it was the organizers of the
rally, who had been detained by the security officials.
“The
organizers of a peaceful rally have been arrested in Kiev! What for?
Show me a single slogan, for which you can be arrested in a
democratic ‘European’ country?” Yuri Kot, Ukrainian public
figure and journalist, wrote on Facebook.
In
Moscow, around 1,000 people gathered in front of the Ukrainian
Embassy to Russia to commemorate the Odessa massacre victims.
An
outdoor photo exhibition, showcasing pictures of the burning Odessa
Trade Union House, was organized together with the rally.
“It
was very hard to not to cry. I didn’t expect so many people to care
and feel for the sorrow,” an eastern Ukrainian resident, who
attended the event, told RIA-Novosti.
At
the end, the bell tolled 48 times to commemorate each victim of the
last year’s tragedy.
Remembrance
events were also held in Australia, Poland, the Republic of Ireland,
Switzerland, Morocco and other countries.
In
Italy, a monument to the Odessa tragedy was opened in the northern
town of Ceriano Laghetto.
March
to honor the victims of the Odessa massacre in Ukrainian capital Kiev
on May 2, 2015.March to honor the victims of the Odessa massacre in
Ukrainian capital Kiev on May 2, 2015.
Ukraine
authorities deployed over 3,000 law enforcers in Odessa ahead of the
anniversary of mass killings on May 2.
Odessa's
Kulikovo Field, the square where the bloodiest scenes in the last
year’s confrontation unfolded, was cordoned off on Friday.
People
wishing to lay flowers in front of the Trade Unions building, where
dozens of activists met their deaths, have had to pass through metal
detectors.
The
streets are being patrolled by some 2,600 police officers, while 600
special service fighters are on alert, the Interior Ministry
reported. Unarmed volunteer activists were also called to Odessa.
“There
cannot be too much police presence. It's a demonstration of our
presence and strength to those who want to shake the situation in
Odessa. There will be a policeman in every square meter,” Ivan
Katerhinchuk, the chief of Odessa region's police force, told the
media.
Earlier
on Friday, police troops brought in from other regions and their
local colleagues gathered in front of the building. CCTV footage
showed dozens of trucks and patrol cars parked in rows and columns of
security forces marching in the streets.
Ukraine's
national security agency, the SBU, reported arresting dozens of
people suspected of “separatist activities” in Odessa in April.
On Friday, it reported busting a “separatist ring” consisting of
“former police and SBU officers, members of pro-Russian political
parties, Kulikovo field activists and criminals.” The agency said
it had arrested 20 ringleaders.
Those who lost loved ones in Odessa say they are fearful of being involved in politics.
“I
don't go to rallies. It's personal. My brother died and my father
died. As for what and how it happened and what political forces were
involved, we don't get into it. Our families' safety is what
important for us,” one of them Aleksandr Neogarov told RT.
Demonstrators
march in Kiev in memory of the victims of the 2014 Trade Unions House
massacre.Demonstrators march in Kiev in memory of the victims of the
2014 Trade Unions House massacre.
Fiery
pogrom
On
May 2, 2014 an estimated 2,000 pro-Kiev activists, many of them
radical football fans, marched the streets of Odessa in support of
the post-coup government. They clashed with anti-government
activists, who were demanding the Odessa region renounce Kiev and get
greater autonomy from central government.
Running
street battles ensued with pro-government fighters sending their
opponents on the run. The clashes escalated when the radicals raided
a tent camp in the Kulikovo Field, where hundreds of peaceful
protesters had been holding a sit-in for weeks. The camp was torched
with Molotov cocktails and its occupants took refuge in the Trade
Union building.
However, the building itself was set on fire and a baying crowd surrounded it. Dozens of people died from smoke poisoning or from falling when they tried to escape the fire. Some of those who managed to flee were rounded up and beaten up by the radicals.
“We
saw people jumping out of the windows into the backyard. People were
running to them and hitting them on their heads,” Igor Nemodruk, a
survivor, told RT.
“They
were filming it from the crowd. We found [footage] later on the
internet. There were different people there. Some were beating us,
others were watching and laughing and others were taking pictures.”
According
to the official report, 48 people died, including 6 pro-government
activists and 42 anti-government activists. More than 200 were
injured. Some say the report underestimated the number of casualties,
with estimated fatality counts reaching as high as 116.
Twenty-two
people are being prosecuted in connection with the tragedy. Half of
these are still on the run. The investigators say police negligence
is to blame and reject evidence that Odessa law enforcers were
actually involved in orchestrating the crackdown on the opposition
camp.
Moscow
accuses the Ukrainian government of failing to investigate last
year's tragedy properly. Russia says foreign sponsors of the new
government in Kiev are not doing enough to pressurize Ukraine to
ensure that those responsible face justice.
The
building itself may soon be converted into the Ukrainian Navy's HQ or
a military hospital, Odessa Governor Igor Palitsa said on Saturday.
The western media,which continues to lie about this event, equates the death of 6 Maidanites with the massacre of, not 48, but up to 116 by fascist forces
The western media,which continues to lie about this event, equates the death of 6 Maidanites with the massacre of, not 48, but up to 116 by fascist forces
Odessa
(Ukraine) (AFP) - The southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa on
Saturday held separate ceremonies paying tribute to both pro-Russian
rebels and pro-Kiev militants who perished a year ago in a day of
violent clashes.
Memorial
video for the victims of Odessa massacre on May 2, 2014
The
Odessa Massacre - What
REALLY Happened
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