Houston action in memory of murdered Russian antifascist : Houston Indymedia

December 4, 2009

Members of Texas RASH visited the Russian consulate in Houston today as part of an international day of action to commemorate Ivan “Kostolom” Khutorskoy, who was shot to death outside of his home in east Moscow on November 16, 2009 by neo-nazi boneheads. Ivan had been hospitalised multiple times in the past after fascist jumped him armed with knives, screwdrivers or bats. He never stopped in his fight against the neo-nazi movement, even after his home address and pictures were posted on fascist websites.

Ivan was a founding member of RASH Moscow and a beloved part of the antifascist community and the anti-racist skinhead scene in Russia. Ivan was a graduate of law school, and since his father died last year he supported his family by working at a center for street children named “Juvenile State Abandonment, Crime, Drugs Use and AIDS Prevention Center“. He was a skilled martial artist and an award-winning arm wrestler, and worked security to ensure the safety of many left-wing demonstrations and cultural events. In the end, his enemies were too cowardly to face him and ended his life with two bullets to the back of his head.

The text of the letter which Texas RASH members today delivered to the Russian Consul in Houston is as follows:

'To Consul General Nikolay Y. Babich, the Government of the Russian Federation and the Russian People:

We denounce strongly and sharply the recent assasination of our friend and comrade Ivan Khutorsky. Ivan was shot to death on November 16th, 2009 by neo-nazi thugs outside of his home on Khabarovsk street in east Moscow. Ivan was a longtime antifascist who had worked tirelessly and fearlessly to stop the growing tide of racist gangs in his country. This was not the first time he had been attacked by fascist thugs, but this time his attackers used guns to shoot our comrade down from behind. This cowardly act shows the weakness and fear of the fascists when they are faced with opponents who stand strong against their vicious hate.

We find the government of Dimitry Medvedev to hold a share of the blame for Ivan's death, as they have helped to enable the growth of extremist right-wing groups in Russia. We know that in Russia, hate crimes committed by fascist groups against ethnic minorities and left-wing activists are often prosecuted as simple “hooliganism,” instead of murder. We offer our full solidarity to our Russian antifascist comrades, who are courageously taking a stand to do what their government seems unable or unwilling to do. We express sympathy today for Ivan's family, but also for the other lives which have been lost in this struggle, as Ivan was not the first Russian antifascist to be murdered in recent times.

We remind the Russian people that it was their courage and sacrifices which defeated the most powerful fascist regime in history in the last century. We ask that you not let the sacrifices of the past be wasted, but that you rise to face the threat which is growing within your country today. We here today will not let Ivan Khutorsky be forgotten. We remember Ivan in the way he would wish – by carrying forward his struggle for freedom, equality and solidarity. For Ivan!

Texas RASH
Official Section, RASH United'

(RASH, or Red and Anarchist Skinheads, is an international grouping of skinheads who hold left-wing political ideals, including opposition to racism and fascism. The skinhead culture is a multi-racial, multicultural youth subculture originating in Britain in the 1960's which predates any form of nazi or white supremacist cooptation of the term, and skinheads of all races, nationalities and ideologies continue to be a part of the underground music scene. )

For more information about Ivan:

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=421018987&blogId=519519573

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=16500371&blogId=518882062

For more information about the multicultural roots of skinhead:

http://libcom.org/history/1960-today-skinhead-culture

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skinhead

RASH members outside of the entrance to the consulate.

The letter denouncing Ivan's assassination to be presented to the representatives of the Russian government.

RASH member speaking with a consulate employee about Ivan's death. The consul later came out and said he would forward the letter to the embassy, but declined to be photographed.

RASH members unfurl a banner commemorating Ivan inside the waiting room of the Russian consulate. never forget, never forgive!