SOLIDARITY CALL FOR THE DEMONSTRATION “NO NAZIS ON OUR STREETS” ON 17.02 IN SOFIA, BULGARIA

SOLIDARITY CALL FOR THE DEMONSTRATION “NO NAZIS ON OUR STREETS” ON 17.02 IN SOFIA, BULGARIA 

2024 marks the 21st year in a row of the neo-nazi Lukovmarsh demonstration in our city of Sofia. 

“Lukovmarsh” is a neo-nazi torch march with big international participation. Far-right groups from all over Europe come to Sofia every year to support their local counterparts in commemorating the Bulgarian antisemite general Hristo Lukov (1887-1943) who was associated with the Third Reich. The organizers from the Bulgarian National Union (BNS) are often spotted in neo-nazi demonstrations in Poland and Italy. That is not surprising since the “guest list” of Lukovmarsh includes internationals from Spain (La Falange), Germany (NPD, Die Rechte, Der III Weg), France (Terre et peuple), Italy (CasaPound), Austria , Croatia, Poland (Narodowe Odrodzenie Polski), Romania (Nova Dreapta), Hungary, Sweden (The Nordic Front). 

Over the years we made sure that there was always resistance against Lukovmarsh and a counter demonstration called “No Nazis on Our Streets!”. We believe that our efforts and the international solidarity over the years have helped to make the neo-nazi torches dimmer! We continue our struggle until they completely disappear from our city, as well as in the rest of the world. 

Lukovmarsh is becoming more and more associated with neo-nazis by the general public and has far less attendance! We want to warmly thank each person who has come to Sofia in solidarity with our counter demo “No Nazis on our Streets!” in the past! Your support has helped immensely! 

Yet, even when Lukovmarsh is banned by the Sofia Municipality, every year neo-nazis continue to be calmly escorted by police and left to march. Never dispersed, never arrested and always protected by the authorities. At the same time, peaceful demonstrations in solidarity with the people of Palestine are banned with the threat of force, dispersed and the homes of organizers invaded by the police and the special forces. 

As antifascists, we clearly see the double standard of the state. In Bulgaria, you can be an antisemitic neo-nazi but if you protest a genocide -it is deemed “antisemitism” or "terrorism" without any particular reason. 

As antifascists, we will continue to rise against antisemitism and the real antisemites!

As antifascists, we will not let Putin's pretend antifascism to be the only one that is heard of. 

As antifascists, we will always stand against Erdogan's fascism and ethnic cleansing of the Kurdish people. 

As antifascists and as faminists we will not leave the women of Iran alone. 

As antifascists, we will always stand with migrants, who are currently facing further restrictions by the EU. This is the ethos that "No Nazis on Our Steets!" always had and will continue to perpetuate.

To those of you who have come previous years and to those that consider coming this year - we would like to officially invite you to “No Nazis on our Streets! 2024 on the 17th of February in Sofia, Bulgaria! 

See you there! 

Yours in the Struggle,

Antifa Sofia/Antifa Bulgaria