To remember means to fight

On January 19, commemorative actions were held around the world in memory of Russian antifascists Stas Markelov and Nastya Baburova, who were murdered in 2009.
PSL took part in events in Cologne and Hamburg, while the largest actions took place in Paris and Berlin.

🇫🇷 Paris
About 140 people gathered in the building of the former Labor Exchange, local activists and people in exile. Speakers talked about the life and legacy of Markelov, the tightening of repression in Russia, the designation of the LGBT movement as “extremist,” the fabrication of “terrorism” cases, and the persecution of left-wing activists and deserters. Messages of solidarity were delivered by La France insoumise, and a video address was sent by activists from Atlanta, USA. Comrades from the Ukrainian section spoke about international support.
We presented the brochures “Unheard Voices” in Russian, English, and French.

🇩🇪 Berlin
Three events took place in Berlin: an evening of writing letters to political prisoners, a film screening about the life of Anastasia Baburova, and on January 19, the annual demonstration on Silvio-Meier-Straße. We remembered all antifascists who have died fighting reactionary forces in Russia, Germany, Ukraine, Rojava, Turkey, Greece, and around the world. The action began with a rally featuring speakers from various socialist and anarchist initiatives and then turned into a loud march. It was a reminder that antifascism is not only about memory, but also about the readiness to take to the streets and resist.

Alerta! Antifascista!
Long live international solidarity!

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Police raids in Berlin and “amusing” liberal snobs

Germany has been shaken by a wave of police raids: searches are taking place across several federal states at once — in Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, and Brandenburg. In total, at least 17 apartments and leftist spaces have been targeted.

The official pretext is an investigation into acts of sabotage against energy infrastructure. Specifically, this concerns the arson attack on a power line in September 2025 in the Johannisthal area, which, according to investigators, was aimed at the Adlershof technology park, where, among other things, defense industry companies are located. Around 45,000 households were left without electricity at the time.

However, it is not only the alleged participants in the action who are being targeted, but also some of the most important spaces of social connection within migrant and left-wing communities.

An attack on grassroots solidarity
In Berlin’s Wedding district, police stormed a cultural center and housing project. The result: smashed shopfront windows, destruction, and confiscated computers. This self-organized space was used for migrant employment counseling, support for refugees and holders of humanitarian visas, and legal assistance for activists facing repression, for example over participation in pro-Palestinian actions.

For many migrants from post-Soviet countries, this place was a point of support where they could get help navigating bureaucratic complications free of charge and without snobbery. Now this work has been disrupted.

Double standards: the response of liberal media
The actions of the police were expected — we remember the devastation of the housing project in Friedrichshain — but what is truly striking is the reaction of “progressive” Russian media. In its post, the channel GENAU adopted a mocking tone:

“It’s funny that... the searches were carried out, among other places, literally in an anarchist library — either the perpetrators are clearly not geniuses of conspiracy, or the police simply decided to make their job easier.”

“Funny”? Is it funny when people helping refugees have their tools taken away? Is it funny when police trash cultural spaces?
Obviously, if a similar raid had taken place against “their own” liberal venues such as Reforum Space, the very same authors would be writing about “unacceptable pressure on civil society” and “police abuse.” But when it comes to left-wing activists, low-income migrants, or anarchists, solidarity suddenly evaporates, giving way to support for repressive institutions.

A time for drawing clear lines
What we are seeing is yet another example of how “elite journalism,” transplanted from Moscow editorial offices to Berlin, continues to reproduce an anti-left agenda while supporting militarization and police control.

The complete absence of solidarity and the support for repression against “undesirable” groups mark a new level of cynicism. We call for a clear break with forces that justify police pressure. Solidarity must be unconditional, not selective.

#Berlin #LeftBerlin #Police #Repression #Solidarity

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