We share an unofficial translation of a report from our Austrian comrades from The Red flag
A loud demonstration marched through Vienna on the evening of February 12, the 90th anniversary of the heroic February matches in 1934. Karl-Marx-Hof, which at that time was a central scene for the resistance movement, became a place where they were reminded of the fighters, as with Right is referred to as heroes.
Exactly 90 years ago, the cannons burst into Karl-Marx-HOF when the Austrofascist army shot at inhabited working houses. Thousands rose to Austro Staff in many parts of Austria in February, with weapons in hand. Despite the military defeat, these struggles were crucial to the further development of the resistance struggle against Austrocezism and later against the Nazi occupation. The demonstration on the anniversary was greatly fierce: banners, flags, songs, marches and pyrotechnics ensured that the experience of this fight is still relevant 90 years later.
The common slogan for the demonstration was "to remember is to fight". It was also expressed in the songs and content of the demonstration, which were aimed at the ongoing settlement of democratic and social rights as well as the rising prohibition policy. Slogine against inflation and wage theft alternated with calls against buildup, against NATO and the defense of Austrian neutrality. Palestinian flags could also be seen as a symbolic expression of international solidarity and friendship between the people, but also against the censorship of the ruling classes and "fair thinking" against the Palestine solidarity.
A striking vision was a red block at the demonstration, which played an important role in starting the slogans. The block in particular emphasized the importance of the Revolutionary Austria's Communist Party (KPö), which was against the Social Democratic Workers' Party (SDAPö), now Austria's Social Democratic Party (SPö), restraint policy. It is also important because the Social Democrats' leadership on the 90th anniversary is trying to present themselves as "the party of the February matches". But those who fought and died in the bloody February days were opponents of the Social Democratic Party leadership line.
The fierce mood of the demonstration showed that the participants did not expect the rulers to "come to reason" today. On the contrary, the slogan spread "The February matches have already shown - fight for the revolution!" Say throughout the demonstration. Today we should not be nostalgic, but - as important parts of the demonstration - apply the experience of these matches!
