(en) France, Alternative Libertaire AL - Solidarity against repression in Russia during and after the Olympic Games in Sochi (fr, pt)

In Sochi, many and many leftists, anti-capitalist, trade unionists, environmentalists are 
imprisoned or awaiting trial. Thousands of Serbian undocumented workers were deported 
unceremoniously after completion. The inhabitants and people are robbed. Lesbians, gay, bi 
and trans subject to specific persecution ... ---- For the Russian dictatorship, the Sochi 
Olympics are an opportunity to stage his power and even better that it is endorsed by the 
numerous friends statements, the Olympic movement and transnational corporations 
sponsoring this competition. ---- To do this, he intends to stifle any kind of protest. 
Rallies and demonstrations are forbidden by decree for the duration of the Games. That 
being said these prohibitions and gagging freedoms constitute a permanent rule in Russia. 
And power relies on the Olympics to silence about his draconian actions.

Many activists left, anti-capitalist, trade unionists, environmentalists are imprisoned or 
awaiting trial.

They and are suppressed by the power-es because of their participation in 2012 in the mass 
mobilizations against the rigged presidential elections by the Putin state. For them and 
them, it is very important that during the Olympics protests and demonstrations of 
solidarity are heard.

Lesbians, gay, bi and trans subject to specific persecution (law against "homosexual 
propaganda"). Similarly, the criminal can tolerate even encourages extreme right movements 
who murdered in recent years many immigrant-es and anti-fascist.

Moreover also recall the expulsion there are more than two months of 5000 without papers 
Serbian workers who worked to build the infrastructure of Sochi Olympics and were returned 
to their country without having been paid one ruble despite their protests. This 
exploitation and oppression remember that immigrant workers in Qatar.

The violence of the state and capital, is found through the expulsion of inhabitants of 
Sochi-es to make room for some sports facilities. Throughout the Olympics, the border 
between Russia and Abkhazia located 4 km from Sochi is closed by the Russian authorities 
on the pretext of security and counter-terrorism. And the Russian dictatorship prevents 
workers-its Abkhaz border to go to work and poor farmers of this country to sell their 
products while the Sochi region is their only outlet.

Finally point out that the necessary organization of the Olympic facilities have also been 
made at the cost of destroying a forest, a part of the mountain surrounding Sochi and the 
pollution of rivers nearby. To top it all, these Olympics as the others generate billions 
of euros of expenditure, the increase in prices to the detriment of the needs of populations.

Russian dictatorship remains in power because of a police state to prevent any free and 
democratic expression, but it must be emphasized that this is possible thanks to the 
silence and complicity of Western states, transnational corporations and the sports 
movement (see . statement No. 2 FIFA FIFA explaining that prefer to work with dictatorial 
powers like Russia and Qatar hosting the World Cup football respectively in 2018 and 2022).

Several actions took place in France on February 1, at the initiative of movement human 
rights and February 5th in the world for LGBT rights. In January, several movements of the 
Russian anti-capitalist left called to mobilize against the repression they and they are 
subject.

Today we want:
- break the silence and express our solidarity with victims of repression in Russia 
denounce the dictatorship in Russia, but also the support which is provided by the 
International Olympic Committee by virtue of the organization Olympics in Sochi whose 
issues are primarily economic, financial and political, and states that choose to send 
their political representatives on this occasion, demanding the release of all political 
prisoners call for the repeal of legislation antihomosexuelle and all those who violate 
the freedom of expression (petition, press, assembly, demonstration, meeting, strike ...).

First signatories: The Alternative, Alternative libertarian, Ensemble - Movement for a 
left alternative environmentalist solidarity, anti-capitalist Left, New Anti-Capitalist 
Party, Solidarity