25 Feb 2009

It was 68 years ago today - lest we forget these bravehearts

The 1941 February Strike was a general strike organized during World War II in The Netherlands against the anti-Jewish measures and activities by the Nazis.

Its direct causes were the razzias held by the Germans in the Jewish neighbourhood of Amsterdam. The strike started on 25 February and was largely struck down the next day.

The February Strike was the first direct action undertaken against the anti-Jewish measures of the Nazis in occupied Europe, and performed by non-Jewish citizens.

The timng and context was also significant. The strike was largely Dutch Communist Party led. But this was February 1941, four months before Hitler invaded the Soviet Union, a time in which Stalinist Russia was in a formal aliance with Hitler, Stalin actively supressing anti-nazi activity . The Dutch communists, the Dutch labour movement, chose justice and solidarity over party loyalty - doubly brave if you knew anything about what happened to communist dissidents under Stalin - not just in the Soviet Union. This strike was truly remarkable, courageous, inspiring Learn more

2 comments:

JuanKerr.com Wednesday, February 25, 2009  

"The Dutch communists, the Dutch labour movement, chose justice and solidarity over party loyalty"

Changed days Eh? Labour, Activists, Spine and Get one - arrange in order!

Alan Smart Wednesday, February 25, 2009  

fair pint, but not for this post juan

let the example alone embarras them - the faced down the nazis and the stalinists - to help not even their ain folk.

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