OBITUARY - Mika Talvilahti Mika Talvilahti 4th March 1974 � 28th December 2001 It is with great sadness that I write of the passing of London-based anarchist Mika Talvilahti, at the tragically young age of 27. He was born in the town of Saarijaervi, in the rural Jyvaeskylae region of Finland. Like many young Finns, he was radicalised by the state�s presumption that he was its property, and that as such he should serve in its army. Mika rebelled against the call to military service, throwing his lot in with the �objectors�. His life would never be the same. The Finnish state has taken advantage of the country�s close proximity to the old USSR to generate a culture of contempt for those young men who refuse to �do their duty� and defend �their country�. When you refuse military service in Finland, you are not just defying the state, but also public opinion. Mika fought both, his brave and defiant spirit moving him to involve himself more deeply in radical politics, adding anti-fascist work to his activities. At the age of 22, with work in short supply (particularly so for objectors), he packed up and made his way from Saarijaervi to London. A deep thinker, on his arrival he spent a long time mulling over his political experiences to date. Despite the social censure he had experienced in Finland, figured that if a self-educated man like himself could become an anarchist, anyone could! He decided he should move beyond activities emphasising a particular single issue, and work instead to spread revolutionary anarchist ideas and action in general. He involved himself in the activities of the London group of the Anarchist Federation, and helped set up the Walthamstow Anarchist Group, into which he put a tremendous amount of time and energy. Though he died young, Mika filled his life with more meaning than many who live to 90, but who never question what they are taught, never question the status quo, never strive for freedom. He confronted the authority of the state head on, and came out on the other side still fighting. It is this kind of life, a life full of love for liberty and strength of will, that gives so much hope for the future. On Sat 9 Feb, two events will be held for Mika. In the afternoon, his comrades will plant a tree dedicated to him in Walthamstow. From 8pm, there will be a gathering at Conway Hall. All are welcome. Tel: 07810 288 889 for more info.
