‘Russification’ in Ukraine T suffered under what Lenin re­

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SOCIALIST ACTION’S PROGRAM TO FIGHT THE CRISIS We propose an EMERGENCY CONGRESS OF LABOR to discuss and take steps to 1) Bail out the people, not the bankers! Open the account books of the banks to full public inspection. Nationalize the banks to be supervised by workers’ committees.

2) No foreclosures! No forced evictions! Cancel usurious debt payments, and reduce mortgage payments in proportion to their capitalist-caused decline in value.

3) Full employment at union wages! An emergency public works program to employ all jobless workers and youth! Employ people to build what we need — low-cost quali­ ty housing, efficient mass transportation, cheap and renewable sources of power, schools, clinics — and to conserve our water, forests, farmland, and open space.

4) Immediate withdrawal of all U.S. troops and mercenaries from Iraq & Afghanistan! No war on Iran! Close all U.S. bases abroad! No money for the military — use funds instead for public works! Convert the war industries to making products for 5) Reduce the workweek to 30 hours with no cut in pay, and cut the retirement age 2 SOCIALIST ACTION FEBUARY 2014 he Ukrainian people have long ferred to as the “Great Chauvinism” of Russia. They were subjected to centuries of “Russification” policies by the Romanov Tsars. Lenin and the Bolsheviks, on the other hand, offered the right to full self-deter­ mination to all oppressed nation­ alities within the Empire—including separation and independence if they chose.

The October 1917 Bolshevik Revo­ lution quickly spread to the working class of the Ukraine. A long struggle ensued with the reactionary bour­ geois government, which invited the German army to occupy the region and put down the revolution. Fol­ lowing the defeat of Germany, civil implement the following demands — people’s needs and to combat global warming. war raged in the Ukraine for four more years, as the Red Army fought French, Polish, and various White reactionary armies.

After the Soviet victory in 1921, Lenin pushed for a policy that would promote Ukrainian national rights, culture, and language. However, Sta­ lin brought Ukraine firmly back into the Russian “sphere of influence” shortly thereafter, and there it has remained.

Ukraine suffered some of the worst depravity of those years, in­ cluding the “Holodomor” famine, which claimed the lives of millions of Ukrainians. This storied history helps contextualize why an econom­ ic pact with Russia is unsavory to so many Ukrainian people. n passed on Jan. 16. These laws place a ban on putting up structures, making amplified speeches, and “slandering” public officials. This round was perhaps the most militant. Protesters briefly oc­ cupied the Ministry of Justice, although they left after the government threat­ ened to impose a state of emergency. Also, whereas early protests were fo­ cused in Kiev, newer protests have been reported in regional capitals as well.

In a stunning about-face, the Ukrai­ nian government agreed to repeal the new “anti-protest” laws and offer am­ nesty to protesters who had occupied the Ministry of Justice. The government of Viktor Yanukovich even went so far as to offer the opposition leader, Ar­ seniy Yatsenyuk, the position of Prime Minister, which he promptly rejected. In a final concession, the Ukrainian prime minister has resigned, and with him the parliament. It is a testament once again to the power of mass movements and and benefits.

health-care system.

national origin.

ones outlined above.

workers’ government!

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Tony Savino / Socialist Action Marty Goodman / Socialist Action (Above) Lynne Stewart arrives at La Guardia airport on Jan. 1, after release from prison.

(Left) Lynne’s husband, Ralph Poynter, speaks at rally last year demanding her freedom.

crime of “sedition” for suggesting to a government inform­