Powerful demonstration on 12 February: Remembering the February Uprising of 1934 in Vienna
Vienna, 12 February – On the 92nd anniversary of the February Uprising of 1934, a powerful demonstration with around 400 participants marched through the streets of the third district. Under the slogan ‘To remember is to fight’, the resistance of the working class against Austrofascism was commemorated and at the same time, a link was made to today’s social and political struggles.
Through Vienna’s historic working-class neighbourhoods
From Kardinal-Nagl-Platz, the demonstration led through the traditional municipal housing estates and residential areas to the Rabenhof, a historic site of the 1934 battles.
Slogans echoed loudly through the narrow streets, accompanied by a sea of red flags. Many residents showed their solidarity and welcomed the procession from their windows and balconies.
Cries such as the following could be heard:
The February struggles already showed: Fight for the revolution!’
Don’t believe the lies of the exploiters, rebellion is justified!’
Long live international solidarity!’
Remembrance and current struggles
Several speeches highlighted the historical significance of the February Uprising. The speakers emphasised that the experiences of 1934 are still a warning and a call to action today to take a firm stand against social injustice, fascism and exploitation.
Among the participating organisations was the Antiimperialist League, which emphasised in its contributions the connection between the anti-fascist struggle and international resistance to imperialism. Solidarity with the Palestinian liberation struggle in particular was visibly and vociferously emphasised by many demonstrators – with banners, flags and chants.
