[MKZ] Benefit/Info on Greek antifa patrol arrestees
Waar: MKZ, 1ste Schinkelstraat 16, Amsterdam, Netherlands (GPS lat: 52.353908 lon: 4.854253)
Wanneer: 23/10/2012 - 19:00
As of June 2012 the far right/neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn is officially represented in the Greek Parliament with the support from the local media. As we have seen throughout history, in times of economic crisis, far-right ideologies tend to increase their influence dramatically. The number of attacks on immigrants is rising every week, fuelled by the police's complicity apathetic stance and refusal to do anything to stop the perpetrators. This has led to a need for anti-racist patrols, as it is the only way of protecting immigrants from racist violence.
On the nights of the 15th and 22nd of September, the first two antifascist motorcycle patrols took place, with fly-posting and protest chants against
neo-Nazi attacks. A third motorcycle demo passed through down-town locations on the evening of Sunday, September 30th, where it encountered a
group of neo-Nazis smashing up immigrants' shops. The antifa successfully attacked and stopped them, and were themselves attacked in retaliation by several motorcycle police units
The arrestees were subjected to torture and inhuman treatment by the state. Ridiculous charges were brought against them, such as “having facial
features concealed” (for wearing helmets during the motorbike demo) and they were not allowed to seek the medical attention they needed at the hospital, or see their lawyers for 19 hours.
The entire time, mass media news outlets have been diverting the public's attention to a supposed threat to the national security of Greece, instead
of demanding answers on detentions, police violence and racist crimes. It is a well known fact that they work in support of the government and serve
as its mouthpiece, but this concerns how the state treats us. Faced with this situation, we cannot afford to remain apathetic. Social and political crisis has affected our lives and we should not be distracted from our goals.
The people that decided to form the antifascist patrols are brave and put their lives on the line, showing immense courage in resisting the neo-Nazis, to protect all of us; yet they are treated as if they are criminals by a system that dispenses selective justice. In solidarity to them and in resistance to fascism, actions are continually taking place in various European cities. Everyone should be informed of what is happening. Police violence and oppression are on the rise, the first victims being those who fight for their rights and support humanitarian ideals, take part in solidarity movements and self-organize for autonomy.
This is a call to make our voice heard and spread the word on what fascism is really about. We have the right to free speech. We deserve to walk in the street without fear. We deserve a just society and we deserve to live with dignity. No matter how much the state terrorises, we will stand united and fight back with our most powerful weapon: Solidarity.
We invite you to come to our info night on Tuesday 23rd of October (19.00 dinner, 20.00 info talk and short film) where we will provide additional information with letters from the arrestees, as well as updates on the current situation.
*No law can make resisting Nazism a crime. Not ever.