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Announcement :: International : Politics : Social Welfare |
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March to Support the Greek Insurrection |
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by Paul McCarrier
Email: lookingforward (nospam) riseup.net (unverified!) |
18 Dec 2008
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In response to the call to action from Greece, at noon on Saturday, December 20th people will meet at Faneuil Hall to march in support of the Greek insurrection. “It is important to take action in support of the rebels who are risking their lives to fight against the conditions imposed upon them by authoritarian governments and a broken capitalist system,” says Boston Anarchist Frances Roylos. “If we have to choose between starvation and revolution, we choose revolution.”
RELATED: New School University has been occupied:
http://nyc.indymedia.org/or/2008/12/102240.html |
Protest Planned in Support of Greek Insurrection
Contact: Paul McCarrier (207)615-4457 lookingforward (at) riseup.net
On Saturday, December 20th the insurrection in Greece will enter its 14th day. It has moved from demonstrations against the police who murdered 15-year old anarchist Alexandros Grigoropoulos, to a nation wide revolt against the Greek state, where workers, retirees, and immigrants have joined with students and young people in the streets to fight against the injustices that the Greek government has imposed upon them. The people of Greece have a long tradition of resistance, and for the past two weeks they have said “No!” to the representative government that has failed them. They have taken over their universities, town halls, and television and radio stations, occupying them and broadcasting their ideas, refusing to give in to attacks by the police. The Greek people in the streets, in occupied universities and in town halls have asked that people stop referring to what is happening over there as rioting, and instead to realize that this is an insurrection.
On Tuesday, December 16th a group of 30 demonstrators gathered in front of the Greek Consulate to stand in support of the Greek people. They stayed for an hour under police watch with lively chants, red and black flags and colorful banners. After an hour, the group dispersed under the calls of “We’ll be back!” and the police then retreated. Soon after, the demonstrators returned with a spirited energy, charging across the street to block the entrance of the consulate. In the ensuing excitement, the outer Iron Gate was smashed open, and the government officials inside the consulate quickly fled sight. The group then melded into city, cheering as they went. Later that evening, Boston Detective Andrew Creed, the officer in charge of Anarchist repression, posted his view of events to the public internet forum Boston Lemming Trail of which he is a regular poster under the user name “Keegs”. “The only suck [sic] thing” he said, “was, after the demonstrators and us [sic] ‘left’, a few anarchists came back and smashed the gate to the consulate. That sort of adds a new dimension to [sic] situation for us.”
In response to the call to action from Greece, at noon on Saturday, December 20th people will meet at Faneuil Hall to march in support of the Greek insurrection. “It is important to take action in support of the rebels who are risking their lives to fight against the conditions imposed upon them by authoritarian governments and a broken capitalist system,” says Boston Anarchist Frances Roylos. “If we have to choose between starvation and revolution, we choose revolution.”
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/12/2008_greek_riots.html
http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/
http://www.baamboston.org/
http://www.neanarchist.net/?q=node/336 |
See also:
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/12/2008_greek_riots.html
http://www.baamboston.org/
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This work is in the public domain. |
Comments
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Stand with Greece, Stand with the Revolution: Sat Dec 20 |
by New ENgland NEAN Assembly
neanarchistconsulta (nospam) riseup.net (unverified) |
14 Dec 2008
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"Greece is the birth place of Democracy. It will also die here." (loose translation of words on banners hanging in a number of occupied Universities throughout Greece.)
The 4th New England Assembly of the Northeast Anarchist Network is endorsing the call to a Day of International Action Against State Murders (see call from the assembly of the occupied Athens Polytechnic School, below). The day of action is this coming Saturday, December 20th, 2008.
We would like to encourage all of our friends and comrades in the
Northeast of North America and beyond to plan demonstrations and direct actions in their local cities and towns, at police stations, prisons and jails, courthouses, Greek consulates and specific corporations contributing to the repression of our communities, of the Greek
uprising and of peoples movements worldwide.
On the eve of the darkest day of the year, we will mourn the death of
our comrades and the death of democracy--a death brought on by the brutal tactics of police, the failure of the capitalist system, and the greed and apathy of political parties--and prepare for the dawn a new day of resistance, freedom and justice.
The New England Assembly is calling a march, in Boston, MA, to start at Fanueil Hall at 12:00 Noon.
Please bring literature and banners spreading the word about the Greek Uprising, police brutality and state repression in general. Our theme is "The Death of Democracy."
NeAnarchist.net
BaamBoston.org
(original call)
“We don’t forget, we don’t forgive” - day of international action against state murders, 20.12.2008
Today (Friday), the assembly of the occupied Athens Polytechnic
decided to make a callout for European and global-wide actions of
resistance in the memory of all assassinated youth, migrants and all those who were struggling against the lackeys of the state. Carlo
Giuliani; the French suburb youths; Alexandros Grigoropoulos and the countless others, all around the world. Our lives do not belong to the states and their assassins! The memory of the assassinated brothers and sisters, friends and comrades stays alive through our struggles! We do not forget our brothers and sisters, we do not forgive their murderers. Please translate and spread around this message for a common day of coordinated actions of resistance in as many places
around the world as possible.
Original callout:
http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=943356 |
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TUESDAY Greek Solidarity action, Boston |
by Jake
trenchesfullofpoets (nospam) riseup.net (verified) |
14 Dec 2008
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A Statement of Solidarity from the Boston Anti-Authoritarian Movement and a Press Release for a Demonstration at the Greek Consulate.
We will meet Tuesday, December 16th at 11:30 at the Arlington T Station, and march to the Greek Consulate, 86 Beacon Street, Boston, MA.
On Saturday, December 6, 2008 Alexandros Grigoropoulos, a young boy of 15 was killed by a police officer in Greece, sparking a week of
political unrest across the country. Here in the United States, we have seen the images in our media about the riots that have resulted from the tragedy—riots that have lasted now for 6 days—but we have not yet heard about the political implications of these developing events.
Alexandros was a supporter of anti-authoritarian and anarchist movements, and he wanted to live free without oppression. His crime, the only reason for his murder, was that he peacefully demonstrated against Greek Police Special Forces who were patrolling a revolutionary neighborhood and attempting to provoke its residents. Many people witnessed to the tragic murder of Alexandros and all deny the police claim that the fatal bullet was a warning shot that ricocheted.
The anarchist movement in very influential in Greece, where people of all ages and walks of life frequently demonstrate against the police, the
government and the rich in a struggle to abolish hierarchy and make room for participatory decentralized democracy and social justice. Greece is a country that suffers from a high rate of poverty, affecting 1/3 of its population, with a conservative government and police force that openly collaborates with fascists and neo-Nazi groups such as Golden Dawn to violently repress students, leftists, and migrant workers.
The country erupted first in response to yet another example of police brutality, but now the struggle is one to create social change. Alexandros's death opened the floodgates. Thousands of anti-authoritarians, students, and workers occupy schools, universities and government buildings while others hold marches
and rallies in the streets. These actions are against the oppressive governmental and corporate power within Greece. This is not an
isolated group or a radical fringe outraged by economic collapse and governmental oppression. The riots that have scarred at least 10 of Greece's cities and the general strikes called by
many of the country's major unions on December 10th are a clear indication that the people of Greece are fighting for a new type of politics.
What our media condemns as simple riots and senseless violence is really a heroic struggle against capitalistic and authoritarian abuse and oppression. It seems the anti-authoritarians in Greece are making major strides toward a new world and the end result could make history, following in the footsteps of the Commune Du
Paris and the anarchist revolution during the Spanish Civil war.
In this time of turmoil and economic uncertainty, these Greek revolutionaries are fighting back, serving as an inspiration to the working-class and downtrodden people of the world. As a result, solidarity demonstrations have erupted worldwide in places like Berlin, Madrid, London, and New York City.
It is in this spirit that the Boston Anti-Authoritarian Movement offers this statement of our solidarity. We are calling for a
Red/Black bloc of anti-authoritarians, leftists, immigrants, workers, students, youth and anyone else fed-up with the state of the world and the way the rich and powerful disregard the
suffering of the poor. Just as in Greece, we will demonstrate our opposition to the authoritarian system that leaves many without food, jobs or homes while a wealthy few enjoy conveniences beyond our wildest dreams.
We will march on the Greek Consulate of Boston and show the world that Greece is not alone. Come show your solidarity with the
oppressed people in Greece standing up for what they believe in. Remember to bundle up in black and red, bring banners, signs and flags, as well as well-crafted messages of Solidarity with the
Greece uprising.
To the end of capitalism, to the end of authority, and to the birth of a new world of liberty, justice, and absolute equality,
The Boston Anti-Authoritarian Movement
Also endorsed by:
The Hog River Collective of Hartford, Ct
A good/frequently updated source on the uprising in Greece:
http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/
Website of the Greek Anti-Authoritarian Movement
http://www.resistance2003.gr/
Website of the Boston Anti-Authoritarian Movement
http://www.BaamBoston.org <http://www.baamboston.org/>; |
See also:
http://baamboston.org
http://neanarchist.net
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Pre-demonstration planning meeting |
by eh
(No verified email address) |
15 Dec 2008
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We're having a pre-demonstration planning discussion at my place at 9:00 AM the day of the protest. We'll be discussing direct action. If you can attend, come to 7 Wall Street, Gloucester at 9:00 AM. |
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Tuesday (12/16): reports from Greece |
by dim
(No verified email address) |
16 Dec 2008
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Tuesday (12/16): reports from Greece
The highschool students in Arta, Chania, Koridallo (Athens) demonstrated today. There was also a gathering of students outside the courtrooms in Athens in solidarity with the arrestees.
It was made known today that the ministry of education has started investigations on schools to find and punish teachers that support the students and accompanied them to demonstrations. The students themselves are threatened by some teachers and principals that there will be punishments if they occupy their schools etc, in many cases the threats are personal, against particular students.
In the early afternoon a group of 50-70 anarchists attacked the Riot police headquarters in Athens with rocks, sticks and molotov cocktails. They broke the building's windows and doors and set on fire 4 police cars and 1 police van. 2 cops were injured.
Video: http://www.in.gr/video/default.aspx?videoID=76790
In the afternoon during the prime minister's speech, students entered the studios of NET, a public national tv station, carrying banners on which was written: “Stop Watching, Everyone Take to the Streets”, “Free the Prisoners”, “Freedom from everybody” and changed the image from the prime minister to them! The station almost immediately stopped the program and the students were removed without having the chance to make any announcements. However the picture of the students in the studio holding the banners made it to the media and the messages was clear. Later on the manager of the greek public television made a ridiculous announcement condemning the protest and attacking the activists. All these days the media (NET included) is playing along with the government, degrading the protests, informing wrongly on purpose and fomenting the police brutality. It is said that the manager of the greek public television will resign because of the “intrusion”. It is remarkable that after the murder of a 16 year old kid by the cops and heavy riots and public revolt for 10 days now, the only one who's resigning (or forced to resignation) is a... tv manager!
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/12/415584.html?c=on#comments
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK9lpMk7fiY
In the afternoon, 1000 residents of the Exarchia area, the area where the 16 year old Alexandros was murdered had another demonstration against the presence of heavy police forces on their neighborhood for many years now. With (at least) 2 riot squads and numerous cops (many undercover) in the area at all times, the neighborhood looks more like an occupied area than a residential neighborhood in a free country. The residents had to face the riot squads again, even on this effort to show that the heavy police presence is unwelcome and it only brings problems. Don't forget that there were many incidents the last few days that the residents pushed the riot squads away, threw them lemons or sprayed them with water from their balconies and let people who were in danger of been arrested into their homes to hide.
Photos: http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=948165
more photos: http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=948051
In Patras there was a big demonstration which was peaceful in the biggest part. 2 banks and an major insurance company were attacked and had their windows smashed.
Photos: http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=947989
The city of Athens went all merry and festive today. The new big christmas tree was lighten up in Sintagma square. The previous one was set on fire during the riots last week. The mayor of Athens seems to forget that an innocent kid was killed in the city just 10 days ago. Fortunately about 200 activists were there today to remind it to him and everyone else. They protested by laying down in front of the christmas tree.
A building was occupied today in Serres and will be the place for meetings about actions in the city and also a center for informing the city citizens.
Police brutality is never sentenced in Greece
Today the trial of the “clay pot” incident ended. For those of you who don't know: In 2007 the Cypriot student Augoustinos Dimitriou was heavily beaten by a big group of cops. The police first claimed that the student injured himself (photo of the student after the beating: http://athens.indymedia.org/local/webcast/uploads/metafiles/756520_b.jpg ) when he stumbled and fell on a flowerpot. But the cops didn't know that the whole thing was filmed by a camera in a nearby building. Then the video reached the media and the brutality and the lies of the police were made public. At the incident there were not 2 or 3 cops but more than 15 cops and those who were not beating the student, didn't try to help him or stop their coworkers (cops in plain clothes). See the video of the incident: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6IfQ37BV7Q 13 months later, the judge punished the 8 of the cops with sentences scaling from 15 to 39 months. The sentences can be either bought off or be suspended which probably means that no cop will be put to prison! This is the greek justice system!
Article: http://en.rian.ru/world/20081216/118891764.html
Everyday that passes, more photos, videos and testimonies of police brutality are seeing the light of day. Here are some
The riot squads breaking up a peaceful student sit-in outside the main police department in Athens and violently arrest two underage students:
Photos: http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=947634
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIGnd06K8rM
Another video of riot cops together with cops in plain clothes or parastate thugs with masks, carrying sticks, pretending to be protesters. One of those “protesters” who was photographed some days ago was recognized and it was published the police station he works in. I guess the police, the media and the judges should stop wondering who is smashing the small businesses. What more proof do they need?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpkGxdfoTUM
Finally, we should not forget to congratulate the police of Rethimno for the great accomplishment against a fearsome outlaw. Yes, I'm talking about the 14 year old kid who threw an orange on a police building. It was a miracle that nobody got hurt by this terrorist act (thousands were at risk) and I would like to thank the police for arresting him! ...jerks |
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Wednesday (12/17): reports from Greece |
by dim
(No verified email address) |
17 Dec 2008
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Wednesday (12/17): reports from Greece
It's more than 10 days since the murder of Alexandros and despite the government's wishes for the protests to stop, they are increasing!
The day started early. At around 5am a bank in Thessaloniki was attacked.
By the first light of day, whoever looked at the Acropolis hill (where the ruins of Parthenon are, the symbol of Athens) knew that the fight is not over. Leftists and students had unfolded a huge banner calling everyone on the big demonstration on Tuesday and with the world Resistance written in many languages. Photos: http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=948621
At 8am the building of GSEE (General Confederation of Workers in Greece) was occupied by workers. GSEE has been accused on numerous occasions in the past for going to agreements with the government and the bosses without fighting for the workers demands and selling out the workers' movements. During the afternoon, 50 bureaucrats of GSEE tried to take the building back but they were forced away.
Communique: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/12/415649.html
Photos: http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=948990
In Ioannina the city hall was occupied this morning. In the same city, the occupants of the Cultural Center and Municipal radio center of Ioannina, after 3 days of occupation, decided to leave on their own will, despite the threats from the mayor that the riot police will invade and arrest everyone.
In Athens:
A police van which had stopped in a traffic light was attacked by a group of anarchists with petrol bombs and was set on fire. Photo: http://www.occupiedlondon.org/kloubamat_B.jpg
The riot squads attacked students (14-15 years old) outside the courthouse.
A new demonstration of 4-500 in Halandri, it went through the residential neighborhoods, besieged symbolically the police station and threw oranges, eggs, paint and some rocks. The riot cops that were guarding the station threw flash-bang grenades and teargas. The demonstration continued and resolved peacefully in the main square.
During a demonstration in Virona, 2-3 rocks were thrown to the cops and they replied with teargas. The protesters then decided to occupy the city hall and stayed there until 11pm when they left the building and had a new demonstration.
In a symbolic protest against how the tv stations are covering the events and in general against the television, activists gathered and smashed television sets in downtown Athens. The national and international media that appeared were moved away. Photo: http://athens.indymedia.org/local/webcast/uploads/metafiles/dsc00144.jpg
The ticket canceling machines in 4 subway stations were sabotaged and thousands of passengers used the subway for free. Slogans were written on the walls (again). Photos: http://prezatv.blogspot.com/2008/12/blog-post_8925.html
In Thessaloniki anarchists invaded into a big chain grocery store, filled the shopping carts with food and went to the nearby farmer's market (the cheapest place to buy vegetables) and gave them away to the people there. This type of activism has happened many times before in Greece.
The rest of Greece:
In Iraklio, students took over the soundsystem that played Christmas carols and songs in the commercial center and read communiques and had their own music set!
In Chania, students occupied a local television station and transmitted a video for 20 minutes.
Demonstrations took place in Lamia and Volos (despite the heavy police presence).
In Patras there was small scale rioting and clashing with the police because the scumbag Alexis Kougias, the advocative of the murders (and of other cops on trial for police brutality, read below) bought 50% of the local soccer team. The layer was having a press conference in the team's stadium and fans of the team along with local anarchists and protesters had a demonstration which ended up at the stadium. There, they broke one of the gates and got in, trying to disrupt the conference. The cops used teargas to push the people out. The cops once again didn't know what were doing and one of the teargas that they threw landed on a nearby house balcony! Video: http://patras.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=3406
While the “lawyer” Alexis Kougias was in Patras taking care of his business, he was supposed to be in Athens, in court, defending another cop who is accused of torturing two young men (17 and 20 years old) inside a police station by electrocuting them (possibly with a taser gun, by the way tasers are not used by greek police, it must have been his personal “toy”), while the two men were detained for checking their ids. That was just another “isolated incident” as the police and government call them. The trial was postponed for the second time.
In Patras a new pirate radio station has started transmitting today by the protesters!
There was an article on an online news site saying that the murderer cop has been acting mental in the past few days. It says that he attacked his guards and he was shouting that he is innocent, that the cell is full of... demons and that the other cop, which he shares the cell with is possessed. It is clear that this is a trick of his lawyer, so that he is claimed mentally ill and be released or moved to a psychiatric clinic but in case he is crazy, then who the fuck made him a cop and allowed him to carry a gun and kill an innocent boy?
Now about the case, there is more mystery. A woman claims that found a 3rd calyx in the crime scene (10 days later and when the road is open to everyone?). Moreover, 10 days have passed and the results of the ballistic tests have not come out yet. The rumors about the police covering up the case and changing the results are building up more and more.
The office of the lawyer Alexis Kougias is guarded 24/7, not by a security agency that he pays but from the police! During demonstrations, there are men of the riot police outside his office and normal cops during other times.
Some things related to the previous days events:
A few days ago while the cops were attacking the protesters in Athens, one of the flash-bang grenades that they threw on the crowd exploded on a kids lap. Here are the photos of his clothes afterwards. The kid was lucky that he was wearing 3 layers and he got away with some light burns. Imagine what would have happened to him if he was wearing just a t-shirt.
Photos: http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=948941
Translation of the communique that the occupants of NET (national television station) left behind:
http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=948843
More about the “sentences” of the cops who beaten up the Cypriot student in Thessaloniki last year: http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=948306
Photos of the attacked riot police's headquarter (yesterday).
http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=948494 |
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Anarchist Repression? |
by kaleb b.
kalebb77 (nospam) hotmail.com (verified) |
18 Dec 2008
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They really pay a cop to repress Anarchists? That seems rather silly since the state claims to have little or no money to spend on education, programs or other important issues that effect the whole community. |
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don't go to gloucester the morning of |
by kate
kate.bonner.jackson (nospam) gmail.com (unverified) |
18 Dec 2008
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hey y'all, planning actions is essential, but i don't think it's wise to go all the way out to gloucester three hours before the time we're gathering, especially when there's supposed to be a shitload of snow all over the roads from the snow storm the day before. just a suggestion. |
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