Greek Revolt: Updates 20th - 22nd March

One way or another, the planet will become Red ...
... or red and full of life
... or red because of the running blood.

- Wolf Biermann

Even if it is a commonplace, someone can not start from any other finding but from the fact that we are in the most difficult and critical historical timing of the last 70 years. Since the crisis erupted in December 2008, millions of words have been spoken and written, but we believe it has not been reached the essence of the crisis.

We will try to approach the situation from another perspective. We do not claim for having the absolute truth. Criterion of whether it is worth any opinion is the degree of verifiability or falsifiability.

In simple words, the introduction of machine in the production led the animal work to become useless. Automation and robotics have made unnecessary the work of human. After the wave of de-industrialization that swept across the West in 1980, has been created an artificial overpopulation. Millions of people during the notional (de: fiktiv) recovery, recovery that was based essentially on debt, were comfortable in a parasitic tertiary sector.

Now, in the crisis, they throw all these people on the streets. They have the audacity (de: Künheit) to say that after the recovery, unemployment not only will not decrease but increase. But my opinion is that any recovery will be sluggish (de: anämisch). The general trend (de: Tendenz) will be downwards (de: abstiegs). This crisis will not be overcome by by economical conditions. If the crisis of 1929 was overcome after the horrors of fascism and war, the current crisis will need bigger disasters to be overcome. Perhaps those who hold the fate of the planet in their hands are more prudent (de: vernünftig) than those of 1929? When someone judges their actions, then she/he can not be quiet about them.

Is it inevitable (de: unvermeidlich) this direction to barbarism and destruction? If we will remain to be an inert (de: untätig) mass and leave their fate (de: Glück) to some 'charismatic' leaders this will be the result. But if we take the situation into our own hands and decide to be us ourselves who will shape our future, then the path will be different. Specifically, our country has been proved as the weak link (de: Ring) in the system. The bankruptcy is prescribed (de: entwerfen) since years now. Whoever thinks that this is a trick, not only she/he is wrong but also commits a crime. This became obvious during the protests by farmers. A massive and dynamic movement led to the defeat precisely because it had the wrong targets. The same fate would have any other struggles in future which would rely on requests and targets that the system is unable to respond.

A movement to be effective in the today's conditions of chaos and dissolution (de: Auflösung) should be aimed, not at the distribution of goods, but to claim for the control of production and distribution (de: Verteilung), minimum of basic goods, nutrition, health and education, services of public interests (de: öffentliche Einrichtungen) and of course the banking system. How? Through a movement of committees that will require (de: erfordern) for taking the situation into their own hands through a CONVENTION OF COMMITTEES (KONSTITUTIONELL VERSAMLUNG) with alternately (de: anklagen, gr: ενακλητούς) representatives that their salary will not exceed (de: überschreiten) the salary of a skilled worker.

Who can participate in the committees? All those who are not employers. It is self-understood that for the Convention can claim representation all those people who have the right for voting.

This is one way to be diverted the social tensions creatively. Otherwise the social rivalries (de: Gegensätzlichkeit), within this climate of generalized nihilism and social Darwinism, will only be destructive. Sure social peace is preferable than violence, but if you want peace then follow the advice of old Cato “si vis pacem paro belum” (If you want peace prepare for war). But not with the way of some kids who have ridden the pole and pretend to be Zorro. Someone should tell them that the nihilism today is an expression of the middle class that sees the death of itself. The revolutioner expresses the optimism of the world that gets born.


- S. Katsaros (auf deutsch hier)

_Saturday 20th March 2010_ (by Carlos Marxos / IMC - auf deutsch)

*"Friendly visits" of civil cops to all the neighbors of the murdered Fighter Lambros. In Ampelokipi district of Athens, the police authorities and the anti-"terrorist" team visit all the blocks of buildings on entire streets looking for informers (de: Denuziant) about the murdered Lambros Fountas. At the same time they are opening files for the whole neighborhood! ... Obviously it was not profitable the call from the cops to citizens for anonymous and safe telephone information (de: Denuziantentum)to their own quiz about "what we can learn about Lambros Fountas". Obviously, there were also not profitable the rest of the cop-researches and interrogations, as regretfully "inform" us from televisions, radios and newspapers the most "experienced" (.. and closer to police authorities and anti-"terrorist" team) police authors. Thus, as the last few days so last Friday, they systematically harass the entire neighborhood of murdered Fighter Lambros, trying almost by force to turn the neighbors into 'informants'! ... They have clearly exceeded the "expected" and less or more known "criminology" of civil-cops, using the "approach" of more social neighbors, such as owners of kiosks, shopkeepers and others ... who, eh, "of course they should know". Around a very large length and distance from the house of the murdered, "crews" of state security enter into blocks of buildings, ring bells, enter into houses and begin "politely" the questioning of residents. Questions like "have you seen him?", "did you know him?", "who were his friends?", "have you noticed something 'curious'...?», etc are the first ones and the most 'soft' to the 'logic', meanwhile waving a finger in front of the residents face and offering them an informer's career. The "crews" record the answers, the data of each person and ask for phone numbers. They leave "reminding" that "if you forgot anything, if you will remember something, then contact us ...". In simple words, beside the inquiry of life and human, neighboring etc space of Lambros after the murder - inquiry extended directly away from Athens & Attica, to Corinth, to Agrinio, to villages of Aitoloakarnania - is in and goes an entire enterprise, which is "mini" typical, but in reality gives to the authorities folders of the whole neighborhood, hundreds of homes and thousands of People! ...

*Around 700 people demonstrated in honor to Lambros Fountas through the district of Dafne, where he was murdered by cops. Some neighbors were waiting in front of their doors since early. Some others were watching with fear on their eyes through their windows. Also undercover copss all around the area ... Photos

*Strong bomb explosion in front of the Migrants' Transit Center in Athens (central prison for migrants' deportation). Two phone-calls to a newspaper and a TV-station took place 20 minutes before the bomb went off, asking from cops to evacuate the area.

*Attack with Molotov cocktails against special police forces who continuously occupy the district of Exarcheia in Athens every single night.




_Sunday 21st March 2010_ (by Carlos Marxos / IMC)

*Gathering in front of Venna's migrants' "welcome" center by 100 leftists and members of No Border team, together with a big number of lawyers and doctors. The cops - special police' forces, civil pigs, common pigs, etc - attacked the protesters without any reason. As a result, blood ran again from two protesters' heads and the cops blocked ILLEGALY the doctors and lawyers to enter the building and check the survival conditions inside. The special pigs' forces did not hesitate to throw also stones against the protesters and arrest three of them. The arrested persons were transferred to the town of Komotini, where also other people tried to travel but the busses were blocked by cops.

* Video from the clashes in 1985, during the squat of the Chemistry University in Athens, when a punch of anarchists / authoritarians took seriously their political role and decided to bring in praxis their social rights after the murder of Michalis Kaltezas from a fascist cop. The shot was - for one more time in the historical chain of cop barbarities - on the back side of Michalis' head. On the pictures of the video is filmed the time of cops' violent attack against the squatters after the smashes of several bank agencies. Historically, we face the same practical methods of authorities with the police repression attacks reminding of cold war's times. The big political and economical "change" of the authorities is born in reality with the murder of one more human because of political reasons.

- Μax Κeizer on the Greek Debt Crisis: "...Chase away the financial terrorists of Goldman Sachs and Wall Street ..."

- Jayati Ghosh about the economical crisis in Greece (youtube)

_Monday 22nd March 2010_ (from After the Greek Riots)


*The urban guerrilla group “Conspiracy of Cells of Fire – Guerrilla Group of Terrorists” claimed the responsibility for the bomb that destroyed completely the central offices of the fascist, para-government organization Chrisi Avgi (Golden Dawn), for the bomb that was placed outside the Police Directorship for Immigrants in Petrou Ralli street, and for the bomb that hit the house of the vice-president of the Greek-Pakistani Union. They claimed the actions through a communique, entitled “Dilemmas in time of war”, and is published in Athens IMC. The communique is quite long and has historical facts and their point of view about the issue of the immigrants and the reaction of the native population since 1990 and until the recent law about nationality. They also present some facts about the fascist organization Chrisi Avgi and show (as many people already know) that it is actually a group controlled by the police and the secret services. The text ends with two announcements, the first talks about the upgrade of the repression, the arrests that happen in relation to their organization, and their view about a new strategy that the urban guerrilla groups should follow. The second announcement is about Lambros Fountas, in honor of whom they chose to name for this action the cell that realized the bombings as “Commando Lambros Fountas”.



Photo: "Lambros is one of us" - Poster at the place of Lambros Foundas' killing in Dafne district, Athens

National Strike Begins in Mexico, Police Respond With Violence

From Signalfire:

(see also infoshop news & German coverage on amerika21)

Electrical Workers Defend Themselves and Continue to Block Their Former Workplaces

At noon on March 16, the Mexican Electrical Workers Union (SME) went on an indefinite strike, and unions all over the country went on strike with them. Electricians hung black and red banners across the entrances of their former workplaces, refusing to allow anyone to enter or leave the buildings. The actions occurred at all of the former Luz y Fuerza del Centro (LyFC) buildings in Mexico City, Mexico State, Puebla, Hidalgo, and Morelos. Actions in solidarity with the SME occurred in at least 21 other states. In addition to hanging strike banners on former LyFC buildings, supporters blocked major federal highways, took over government buildings, and held rallies. A significant number of the blockades remain, particularly in central Mexico.

At least two SME actions outside LyFC buildings were violently repressed when Federal Police (PFP) attempted to prevent the SME from hanging its strike banners. However, in both instances the SME and supporters repelled the police and hung their strike banners.

The repression began at Cables Bolivar in central Mexico City. “When we tried to hang our strike banners, the PFP started yelling insults at our compañeros,” says Gerardo Avelar, the SME’s Secretary of Agreements. “We dialogued with the PFP’s commanding officer on site so that we could peacefully hang our banner. He accepted this. However, when the banners were hung, a member of the PFP irresponsibly pulled down a banner that we had hung with [the commanding officer's] permission.” The PFP then began to fire tear gas into the crowd, according to Avelar. While the exact number of tear gas canisters fired is unknown, SME members were able to show this reporter pieces from four spent canisters: two rifle-fired canisters and two hand-thrown grenades.

The tear gas was manufactured by US-based Combined Tactical Systems, the same company that manufactured the tear gas used in the 2009 Bagua, Peru, massacre of indigenous protestersand the violent attack against striking teachers in Morelos, Mexico in 2008.

When the PFP fired tear gas at the SME, the gas wafted into surrounding schools and homes, affecting the children inside. The Cables Bolivar complex is located across the street from an elementary school and catty-corner to a daycare. The SME reports that 2-month-old Alexis Emiliano Hernández was hospitalized when tear gas entered his home near Cables Bolivar.

Calls to support the SME in Cables Bolivar went out over Twitter and Radio SME, and support quickly arrived from other parts of the city. Students from the Autonomous University of Mexico City, the Urban Movement of Popular Power, and other organizations quickly arrived and drove back the police. Avelar says, “We will not move from here until the Ministry of the Interior or the Supreme Court presents a solution to this problem.”

The second confrontation with police occurred in Juandho, Hidalgo. SME members and supporters blocked the entrance to the Juandho LyFC complex with piles of dirt. According to El Universal, “This angered the federal police, leading to a confrontation.” The police fired tear gas and pepper spray at the crowd, and fired live rounds into the air. El Universal reports that following the repression, approximately three police helicopters and 400 federal police arrived on the scene to drive back protesters.

Following the police repression, floodgates that guard a canal of raw sewage were opened, flooding the LyFC complex and the police inside. At the time of publication, it has not been confirmed how the floodgates opened. However, the flood seems to have incapacitated the police–reports from Juandho indicate that the SME still holds its blockade of the LyFC complex there.

The SME continues to blockade key LyFC buildings, and will do so indefinitely. The workers have organized themselves into shifts that will maintain the picket lines around the clock. As nighttime fell, a “tense calm” fell over the blockades. Police continue to attempt to penetrate the blockades, particularly in Nexaca, Hidalgo, and there is fear that police will attack in the night while the majority of the region is asleep.National SupportActions in support of the SME reportedly occurred in about 25 states.

The national strike has inspired organizations all over the country to take bold measures to support the SME as well as their own causes. Several organizations took advantage of the national strike in support of the SME to pressure the government to cede to their own demands.

Oaxacan teachers, in addition to sending a delegation to the Mexico City protests, blocked government buildings and highways in their own state, bringing transit to a standstill. Their actions were in support of the SME, but also designed to pressure the government in their own 2010 contract negotiations.

Students from the Autonomous University of Mexico City rushed to the SME’s aid in front of the Cables Bolivar complex after police attacked there. The city government has cut all funding for their university, leaving them unsure how they will continue their studies. They arrived at Cables Bolivar with signs that said, “Less Military, More Education.”

Miners in Cananea, Sonora, blocked a federal highway there. The company that owns the mine where they work refuses to recognize their union and seeks massive layoffs. The government has authorized the military to take over the mine. The miners participated in the SME’s national strike by blocking the Cananea-Agua Prieta federal highway and have vowed to remain there until their own labor dispute is resolved. The SME and the Miners Union have a strong relationship and a history of mutual aid.

Krisendemo und Griechenland-Solidarität in Deutschland

Video: Großdemo und Straßenkämpfe in Athen am 11. März 2010

Anläßlich einer landesweiten Krisendemo in Essen und einer Protestaktion in Stuttgart am 20. März 2010, beide unter dem Motto „Wir zahlen nicht für eure Krise!“, dokumentieren wir im folgenden eine Grußadresse des SYRIZA-Vertreters Andros Payiatsos aus Griechenland und einen Solidaritäts-Aufruf von Linken & GewerkschafterInnen aus Deutschland (siehe auch den englischen Artikel von Richard Grove auf Indymedia UK):

*Grußadresse aus Griechenland an die Demonstrationen in Essen und Stuttgart (via Sozialistische Alternative)

"Liebe Brüder und Schwestern, deutsche Arbeiterinnen und Arbeiter, die Ihr gegen die Kürzungspolitik von Angela Merkel und Co. kämpft,

wir senden Euch unsere wärmsten Grüße und wünschen Euren Kämpfen Erfolg!

Es gibt heute keinen Teil der Arbeiterklasse in Europa, der nicht angegriffen wird. Die herrschenden Klassen in Europa wollen uns für die Krise bezahlen lassen, für die sie selber verantwortlich sind - die Bänker und Profiteure in ihrem unersättlichen Durst und Gier nach Profit. Sie wollen, dass wir für die Rettung der Banken und Konzerne zahlen, die im Verlauf der Krise zusammen gebrochen sind.

Die griechische Arbeiterklasse wird gezwungen, einen hohen Preis zu zahlen. Aber sie trägt nicht die geringste Verantwortung für die Krise. Als ob das nicht genug wäre, wird eine Lawine von Lügen und Verleumdungen über uns ausgeschüttet, werden wir als faul und korrupt dargestellt. Die das behaupten sind Lügner und Heuchler. Und sie lügen um ihre eigene kriminelle Politik zu verstecken.

Sie sagen “wir leben über unseren Verhältnissen” ...

... aber sie sagen nicht, dass eine Million griechischer Rentnerinnen und Rentner von weniger als 500 Euro im Monat leben.

... sie erwähnen mit keinem Wort die “700-Euro-Generation” - die neue Generation junger Beschäftigter, die nicht mehr als 700 Euro im Monat verdienen - wenn sie einen Vollzeitarbeitsplatz haben, was selten der Fall ist. Tatsächlich haben sie Teilzeitjobs für 300 oder 400 Euro im Monat mit Monats- oder sogar Tages-Arbeitsverträgen.

...sie erwähnen kaum, dass zwanzig Prozent der griechischen Bevölkerung unter der Armutsgrenze leben und sie erklären nicht, dass diese Armutsgrenze für eine vierköpfige Familie bei 900 Euro monatlich liegt. Das ist keine Armut - das ist Hunger!

Sie behaupten, die griechischen Arbeiterinnen und Arbeiter seien korrupt, aber sie erwähnen niemals die wirklich Verantwortlichen. Der größte Skandal der letzten Zeit war der Siemens-Skandal. Die Personen, die von Siemens gekauft wurden gehörten zu den engsten Kreisen der Regierung und beider Parteien der herrschenden Klasse. Die großen multinationalen Konzerne und die Top-Eliten stecken bis zum Hals in Korruption -aber sie verlangen, dass Arbeiter für ihre Verbrechen zahlen!

Nur mit Lügen und Verleumdungen können sie ihre Politik durchsetzen. Selbst in Zeiten dieser zerstörerischen Krise denken sie nur an ihren Profit. Angela Merkel besteht darauf, dass die griechischen Arbeiterinnen und Arbeiter für die Krise zahlen, aber sie besteht auch darauf, dass die die 60 Eurofighter, Leopoard-Panzer und U-Boote kauft, worüber gerade verhandelt wird. Die amerikanische, französische und deutsche Rüstungsindustrie hat in Griechenland einen exzellenten Kunden. 4,3 Prozent des Bruttoinlandprodukts werden für Rüstung ausgegeben - die höchste Rate in Europa! Aber keiner der ‘weisen’ Politiker fordert Kürzungen im Rüstungshaushalt.

Die Heuchelei der EU-Führer wird Millionen griechischer Arbeiterinnen und Arbeiter immer klarer. Sie verstehen, dass der Feind zu Hause und im Ausland steht - die griechische herrschende Klasse zusammen mit den herrschenden Klassen Europas sind die Feinde! Und die einzigen Verbündeten, die wir haben sind die Arbeiterinnen und Arbeiter anderer Länder, die auch gegen Kürzungen kämpfen.

Wir brauchen eine europaweite Einheit gegen die Angriffe. Keiner von uns kann alleine kämpfen. Wir brauchen einen europaweiten Aktionstag der Arbeiterinnen und Arbeiter. Wir brauchen einen allgemeinen europaweiten Generalstreik gegen diese Kürzungspolitik.

Hinter der Krise stehen die Bänker, Spekulanten und multinationalen Konzerne. Sie sollen zahlen! Eine unserer zentralen Forderungen sollte die Verstaatlichung der Banken und deren demokratische Kontrolle und Verwaltung durch die Beschäftigten und die Gesellschaft sein! So könnten sie für das Wohl der Mehrheit und nicht für den Profit einer kleinen Minderheit wirtschaften.

Andros Payiatsos
Nationales Sekretariat SYRIZA (Koalition der Radikalen Linken)"



*Aufruf von Linken und GewerkschafterInnen aus Deutschland (via Sozialistische Alternative)

"Seit mehreren Wochen demonstrieren und streiken die ArbeiterInnen in Griechenland gegen die geplanten massiven Kürzungen bei Löhnen, Renten und Bildung, gegen Stellenabbau im öffentlichen Dienst und Erhöhungen von Massensteuern. Deutsche Politiker, Unternehmer und Medien behaupten, „die Griechen“ hätten „über ihre Verhältnisse gelebt“ und müssten nun dafür den Preis zahlen. Zudem wird das Klischee bedient, dass in Griechenland - und generell in Südeuropa - Misswirtschaft und Korruption vorherrschen.

Mit dieser Propaganda soll davon abgelenkt werden, dass die Masse der griechischen Bevölkerung, wie in Deutschland und überall, nicht die Rezession verursacht hat, sondern im Gegenteil mit ihren Steuergeldern die Banker und Spekulanten „gerettet“ wurden. Dieselben Banken saugen jetzt ihre Retter finanziell aus! Gleichzeitig wollen die herrschenden Eliten und ihre Meinungsmacher in den Massenmedien nach dem Motto "teile und herrsche" die arbeitenden und erwerbslosen Bevölkerungen der verschiedenen europäischen Länder gegeneinander ausspielen.

Die Mehrheit der Griechen muss von deutlich niedrigeren Löhnen als in Deutschland leben, bei ähnlichen Preisen. Mit der Kampagne des Establishments soll davon abgelenkt werden, wer die Schuldigen für die schwerste Rezession seit achtzig Jahren sind und der ideologische Boden bereitet werden, um die Kosten der Masse der Bevölkerung aufzuhalsen. Reiche und Konzerne werden gleichzeitig weiter beschenkt.

Die Antwort von Gewerkschaften, sozialen und linken Bewegungen darauf sollte sein: Gemeinsam gegen die Verursacher der Krise auf die Straße! Mobil machen gegen die Politik der nationalen Regierungen und gegen die EU-Kommission, die auf Anweisung der Großmächte Griechenland de facto unter Zwangsverwaltung stellt und entrechtet.

Der Widerstand der Lohnabhängigen, SchülerInnen, StudentInnen und RentnerInnen in Griechenland verdient die solidarische Unterstützung der europäischen Arbeiterbewegung und Linken. Ein erfolgreicher Kampf gegen die Vorhaben der EU und der griechischen Regierung würde eine Ermutigung für alle Beschäftigten in Europa darstellen.

Die beste Unterstützung wird jedoch sein, wenn wir von den griechischen KollegInnen lernen und in Deutschland und ganz Europa damit anfangen gegen die Politik des Kahlschlags zu kämpfen. Die Demonstrationen am 12. Juni und der Bildungsstreik sind ein Anfang. Gemeinsame, europaweite Aktionen und Proteste, zum Beispiel ein europaweiter Aktionstag, sollten von Gewerkschaften, sozialen Bewegungen und linken Parteien angegangen werden.

Hoch die internationale Solidarität!

Erstunterzeichner:

Michael Aggelidis, Landesvorstand DIE LINKE NRW
Dieter Braeg, ehem. BR Vorsitzender der Fa,. Pierburg Neuss, Bezirksvertreter Mönchengladbach Süd – Die Linke.
Mustafa Efe, Betriebsrat Daimler Berlin und IG Metall Vertrauensmann*
Jürgen Egener, Kreisvorstand DIE LINKE.Krefeld
Dr. Eckhard Fascher, Fraktionsvorsitzender DIE LINKE Kreistag Göttingen
Viktor Frohmiller, Jugend- und Auszubildendenvertreter Berliner Verkehrsbetrieb*
Inge Höger, MdB DIE LINKE
Dieter Janßen, ver.di-Vertrauensmann und Personalratsmitglied Klinikum Stuttgart*
Ulla Jelpke, MdB DIE LINKE
Christine Lehnert, Bürgerschaftsabgeordnete Rostock, Sozialistische Alternative (SAV)
Claus Ludwig, Sozialistischer Stadtrat, Die LINKE.Köln
Michael Prütz, BASG, Berlin
Lucy Redler, Bundessprecherin Sozialistische Alternative (SAV)
Rainer Spilker, Vorsitzender ver.di-Ortsverein Minden
Winfried Wolf, Chefredakteur Lunapark21"

(*=Funktionsangabe dient nur zur Kenntlichmachung der Person)

Greek Revolt: Updates 16th -19th March

Athens, 11th March 2010: The arrest of Marios Z.

By Carlos Marxos / Indymedia

(auf deutsch hier)

__Tuesday 16th March 2010__



* Press Release for Marios Z. (pre-jailed since 11th March 2010, see his letter from the prison below and watch last update):

The investigator and the prosecutor decided that Marios Z. must must be raised in prison because he dared to participate in the massive strike demonstration on Thursday (11th March 2010) and had the misfortune to be in the action field of an uncontrolled, warm-head and liar police officer. Marios was arrested on Panepistimiou Street in Athens, close to the banners of EEK (trotskistic party) and associations that were following, by a fully armed man of MAT team (Units of Order Recover) who suddenly attacked him from behind, excited as it seems by the victim's rasta and tufted hair and his casual appearance, in the sight of many other dozens of citizens participating in the demonstration and complaining for the arrest. The cop who arrested Marios, with the usual professional warm-head attitude, after taking him to GADA (Central Police Offices of Athens) stated against him that he had his face covered, that he threw a Molotov against him and that he was endangered by fire. Marios had the luck that the time of his arrest was filmed in videos and printed on many photographs, which were shown to the investigator and prove that his face was completely uncovered, that none Molotov neither fire were on the spot he was arrested or in the area around and that no clashes were taking place on the certain spot. None of the evidences above match with the police officer's statements. Moreover, he relied on questioning dozens of eye-witnesses citizens, who were present at the event and offered voluntarily to testify the truth. But the investigator and the prosecutor after listening to the eye-witness cops unofficially, ignored later the dozens of eye-witness citizens and the photographs and decided for pre-trial detention. Pre-trial detention which takes place: - under the "hoodie law", which is already illegal as a law in the consciousness of society, after the government announced six months ago to abolish it. - even against the laws about pre-trial detention and moreover by disregarding, ignoring and violating openly the changes that were recently made to the relevant article of the law. According to the changes, a person can be pre-jailed only if she/he is suspect of escape or she/he has irreversible judge sentences. The conditions above do not apply to the case of Marios. Marios, who teaches swimming to young children at the Olympic Stadium working 7 days a week, is imprisoned and his children will lose their teacher who teaches them how to love the water. And we will lose our faith in clear and obvious. But we will not lose our faith in Marios and we will fight for establishing the truth, the release and discharge of im. Communication: smpadeka@gmail.com

* 7,000 - 8,000 people demonstrated through the centre of Athens against the government's and EU's economical measures. Video -- Photos

* 1,000 - 1,500 people participated in the demonstration that took place in the Thessaloniki for the same reason above.

* Since yesterday the majority of doctors and medical staff who work in public hospitals decided for job retentions:

ATHENS PIRAEUS COORDINATING MEETING - March 15, 2010

The representatives of assemblies of hospital doctors in Athens and Piraeus, consider that: 1. The stabilization program of the Government and the EU, as has begun, leads to the complete abolition of free public health care - by the desired reduction in doctors on call (de: diensthabend) at -30%, - by implementing more flexible working relationships for doctors in public hospitals, - by suspensions in employment of doctors - nursing - paramedics staff in permanent positions, - by reducing the salaries of hospital doctors below the survival levels, - by reducing the operating costs of hospitals. With this certain government policy is flagrantly circumvented (de: grob umgangen) the Working Collective Agreement between the state and the doctors and the relevant provisions of law 37511-3-2009, which is supposed to remain valid. This will directly result the worsening of corruption and shadow economy in hospitals, which the government supposedly wants to limit, and the complete abolition of the universal access to public, free services of health and the Welfare State itself. 2. The hospital doctors are not prepared to sign the removal of free public health care, to consent in the function of hospitals with inadequate (de: knapp) and unsafe programs, with tragic lacks in nursing and paramedical staff, with bad payed health workers, below the levels of survival. Especially when we see that the over-invoicing and the underground economy in general on the drugs and materials continues smoothly, while the spending cuts are only on human resources. On the other hand, are continuing and expanding the outrageous contracts of insurance funds to the side of state-fed private sector. We do not sign for the final shot against the National Healthcare System.

WE REQUIRE FOR: 1. Full implementation of the Working Collective Agreement. 2. No cut in - already marginal - on call (de: Bereitschaftsdienst) safe programs. The total budget for on call programs (391,000,000 euros) not only it is impossible to be cut cut but also should be increased by 100,000,000 euros to cover the basic needs. 3. Direct support for public hospitals with permanent medical and paramedical staff. 4. Immediate improvement of working conditions and scientific activities of hospital doctors to decent levels.

WE ARE HEADING TOWARDS: - Mass job retentions in response to the delay in repayment accrued in December 2009 and January 2010 (in many cases also from previous months) which will show all the claims described above. - We support the decisions of hospitals' assemblies which decided to deposit programs of 4 on call termins (on average until today 3.15) and condemn the tactics of "ordering" from the side of the state to deposit the programs of the next 15 days, much more now, when the payment of these programs is undermined.

WE SUGGEST: - To the hospitals' assemblies to decide for a working stoppage on Monday 22nd of March from 11:00 to 15:00 and protest in front of the Ministry of Health at 12.00. We urge the leadership of ADEDY (syndicalist confederation in public sector) to continue and escalate the struggle against the government's measures with new pan-workers' strikes emphasizing separately the issue of public health care. We decide for our participation in the Panhellenic Assembly of Base's Associations on Sunday 21st of March in the National Metsovian Polytechnical University and informing all employees about what is happening in the Healthcare sector.

WE CALL: 1. The presidents of our Unions not to agree in any way directly or indirectly with any action that violates the rights of people for free health care, that violates the Working Collective Agreement of hospital doctors. 2. We call the coordinators directors, Scientific Councils, the Directors of Medical Service, not to accept any reduction in safety programs. WE WARN: 1. The hospital administrations and each service agent that the cut for safety programs directly exposes patients at risk; and as such will be denounced with any syndicalist and legal action. 2. The Government, even at the last moment, to realize that the stability program and public health care are incompatible, especially at a time when thousands more of our fellow citizens use public hospitals every day, because they are deprived of any other possibility.

__Wednesday 17th March 2010__


* Mr Panagopoulos, leader of GSEE (General Confederation of Workers in Greece), tried to use the law against three persons who threw yogurt and coffee on him guring the strike demonstration in Athens on the 5th of March. This professional and well payed syndicalist prefers to defend the rights of the bosses and industrialists instead of the rights of workers. Letter of one of the persons who is aimed by the law for attacking him and clashing his bodyguards:

Letter - Answer to the Mass Media:

I am one of the three persons aimed by the "parrots" of security agences (journalists M.Triantafyllopoulos, G. Souliotis and others), as liable for the "working accident" that happened to the president of GSEE (General Panhellenic Workers' Confederation) Mr Panagopoulos during the strike demonstration on 5th of March. Journalists say that the prosecutor has announced the following blames against me: Bodily Harms Without Any Reason: Let us listen from the mouth of Panagopoulos what he has done, except covering bosses and business contractors, for thousands of workers who daily get serious body harms inside the consentrative camps of payed slavery and for the dozens of dead workers on the altar of capital profits. Anyway, his role was clearly shown during the events that followed the murderous attack against Konstantina Kuneva, while all the syndicalist leaders were involving with the mega-business-contractors and were covering through their actions and omission the status quo of slavery and terrorism prevailing in the areas of work, particularly in the area of cleaning. Do not forget that the contract for the cleaning of GSEE's building is signed with one of these companies. (note: Konstantina Kuneva was attacked with acid (de: Säure) on her face because of her syndicalistic actions) Disturbing Public Peace: I am an anarchist and do not accept any peace between exploited and exploiters, oppressed and oppressor. The state and capital have long ago declared war against society and in this war I have taken side against them. In this social-class war Panagopoulos is a salaried servant of the bosses. A professional trade unionist, a prospective parliament member, worth for the replacement of Mr Protopappas and Polyzogopoulos, who have received several state and party offices as a reward for selling off the workers' struggle. Anyway, GSEE is absolutely not a "Confederation of Workers" but a subsidiary company of Greek Industrialists' Association that tries to block all the social struggles and legalize the orders of the bosses. Their role was proved for one more time during the Revolt of December 2008 when GSEE canceled the planned demonstration, while not announcing either a strike in solidarity with the thousands of revolting people. I have upset the "public peace" many times. One of these was the December 17th 2008 when we, the revolting workers and not only us, occupied the central building of GSEE and kicked Panagopoulos out of his luxurious office and down of his leather arm-chair. Insulting (de: Beschimpfung): I think that all these professional unionists are nothing more than "CREEPS - MAFIA - WORKERSDADDIES" (de: PENNER - SCHMUTZ - ARBEITERVÄTER).

P.S. I am an anarchist and because of this I have chosen - beside my other political actions - to participate in the "Waiters - Chefs Association and other employees at the Food Sector", because I believe that only through self-organized action from the workers on their own can the system of exploitation and oppression be overthrown. The only relationship that me and my association could have with the sold out, regime's syndicalism of GSEE is only and only hostile. D.V. (after the letter above was published, people started publishing openly their full names and stating that they also attacked him or that they would like to do it in future ...)




__Thursday 18th March 2010__


* Squatted the Biochemical school of the University in Larissa town. The students condemn the cops' attitude in the town who arrest people because of their political ideas and blame them with heavy crimes. The building will remain squatted until next Monday, day of the next students' general assembly.

* Looting mechanism explosion at the Ministry of Culture & Tourism offices at Soultanis Street in Athens, at 6:00 in the mourning. (see Ekathimerini)

* Students of State's Conservatory University squatted the building asking from the government solutions for the economical problems of their University. The Conservatory will remain squatted until Monday, day of the next students' assembly.

* Intervention in Komotini town in solidarity with Marios Z. The offices of PASOK ("socialistic" party in government) were squatted for a few hours and a placate was hung from the balcony, reading: "The guilty persons are inside the parliament and not on the streets".

__Friday 19th March 2010__

* Very strong bomb explosion in the offices of Golden Dawn (neo-nazi party) at Sokratous Street in Athens. A phone call to the offices of a newspaper took place several minutes before the explosion, so the cops could evacuate the area. After the phone call the cops were fast enough and nobody was harmed. To remind about the actions of Golden Dawn: Beside the murderous attacks against leftist and immigrants, the certain organization is very active in heroin dealing, women's prostitution, mafia circles etc. Many members of them are active in the police authorities and Mr Michaloliakos, leader of Golden Dawn, is active in the State Secret Agencies. The organization became more active after the pan-European meeting of ultra-right-wing organizations in 1997. Photos from their bombed offices

* A child, 1 year old, lost his life in Ippokrateio Hospital of Thessaloniki because of lack in children-care doctors in the towns of Kozani, Ptolemaida and Veroia where his/her parents were traveling around to find a public hospital that could take care of their baby.

* Responsibility announcement by Patrols of Revolutionary Memory urban guerrilla organization for the looting attacks in Athens, to:

- two diplomats' vehicles,
- one vehicle of Telecommunication Organization of Greece,
- one Ford agency company,
- the offices of Ministry of Culture & Tourism (see Ekathimerini).

* Responsibility announcement by Alchemists for the Chaos urban guerrilla organization for the looting attacks against "Scientific Research Companies" in Ioannina, which cooperate with Universities but mostly in order to make profits and enforce a "scientific" way of research which helps for gun dealing and other "scientific" decisions against humanity.

* Members of PAME entered the hotel auditorium where the pan-Hellenic assembly of GSEE (General Confederation of "Workers" in Greece) used to take place and tried to stop the meeting. (About the "syndicalist" action of GSEE watch above and older updates)



***

*Letter by Mario Z. from Sector A of Korydallos' prison:

19.03.2010

On Thursday 11th of March, I was arrested by the repressive police forces. Any sense of freedom and the right to demonstrate was canceled with rage and violence by armed MAT (Greek riot police) forces, since they have the freedom to do so. The occasion of my arrest was participating in a demonstration to defend the rights of the working -or not- citizens, having a weird haircut and a backpack. The real reason was to set an example. During the military junta, they used to tear with whips the faces of the young students in and out of the Law School. In our days, with a consistent barbarism, the "socialist" government, using all means tears and stigmatizes the lives of people of burden, those that suffer and those that resist and are not afraid to merely exist, with the violence of economic and terrorist policies. The political responsibility of my irrelevant arrest must be claimed by the State. The massive political response expressed through this wave of protest, proves that society resists. And this is even more important for me, since I have consciously selected to remain uncommitted-unintegrated. The State demands our inexistance and has a dread of our existence. It isn't just my pre-trial imprisonment case, but all the well-known cases of police perjury and frame-ups, that bring out and prove the State's attempt to terrorize and intimidate whoever stands by his/her rights, to discourage any others that dare to support them, setting up chinless societies that won't protest not assert their rights. I am thankfull to all those fighting for my release either from the very beginning, or joining in during the fight, from a sincere care, away from any political and party interests, either by means I agree with or not, since I don't think what is sensible to do now is to discuss the various ways to manifest our solidarity, but to sit the State itself in judgment for its practices. Freedom to all prisoners, to all fighters for the liberation of all prisoners and of the spirit. From GADA (Athenian Police Headquarters) prisons, written on the yellow walls, next to prisoners forgotten for days and nightsin awful conditions. Golden cage, humid cage, little matters to the bird.

Marios Z.

PS. "Of all the things which wisdom provides to make us entirely happy, much the greatest is the possession of friends" - Epikouros

Greek News Update: 18th March 2010

Market View or: The Greek Class War from Above (by FT Alphaville)

Grigoropoulos trial – Bomb hoax at Syntagma square (Ekathimerini; see also Act for freedom now)

Greek unemployment soars to 10.3% (Bloomberg)

Interviews with Strikers in Athens, Greece (by Fil Kaler / MRZine, with video)

Greek workers insist “The economic crisis was not caused by us” (Interviews from Athens) ( World Socialist Web Site or Sociologias-com)

Greece: Fake left lines up behind trade union sabotage of anti-austerity struggle (World Socialist Web Site)

The Greek debt crisis signals a new stage in class conflict - Statement of the International Committee of the Fourth International 17 March 2010 (World Socialist Web Site)

The Future of the Euro - Die Zukunft des Euro (by Nestor Machno, auf deutsch)

Greece: The implosion of the systemic crisis (Background Analysis by Takis Fotopoulos / The Inclusive Democracy Network)

Greek News Update: 17th March 2010

"Lambros is one of us. Lambros Fountas is the one with which we defended the same barricade; he is the friendly tap on the back when you needed it, he’s the silhouette hazy from the smoke but always present in the street-fighting fire; he’s the person sitting next to you in an assembly or an event, he’s a link in the chains defending our demonstrations; he’s the secret paths that we draw in the cities. Memory gathering at the point of his assassination. Pre-meet up: Agios Ioannis metro station Saturday, March 20, 12 noon. "

(Anarchist poster calling for a gathering in memory of Lambros Fountas, killed by the police)

Nationwide gas station strike on Thursday (Athens News Agency)

Taxi strike - No cabs on streets tomorrow (Ekathimerini)

Strikes hit hospitals, power (Ekathimerini)

Athens plans asset sales to pare debt (WSJ)

Students in revolt in Sussex and Aberdeen

From The Socialist Worker (by Siân Ruddick):

"More than 50 students at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland are occupying administration offices at their university.They are demanding that their principal issues a statement condemning all cuts in education.

The students join those at the University of Sussex, who have entered their seventh day in occupation against cuts and in defence of victimised students. Their campaign is going from strength to strength. More than 800 students crammed into a student union general meeting today, Wednesday. They voted unanimously for a vote of no confidence in the vice chancellor, Professor Michael Farthing. They also voted for a motion to lift the university’s ban on students who took part in a previous occupation.

Farthing should be worried. Not only is the student movement growing, Sussex lecturers are set to strike tomorrow against the planned cuts. Vice chancellors who thought they would get an easy ride making cuts should think again."

Aberdeen Facebook

http://defendsussex.wordpress.com/

http://conventionagainstfeesandcuts.wordpress.com/

Greek Revolt: Update 16th March 2010

Electricity workers on strike at Alimos, southeastern Athens, with a banner "Mr Minister, what kind of social policies are these?"



Electricity workers strike threatens Greece with Black-out (Extracts from Taxikipali's report, see the entire text on Libcom.org - Spanish - German)

The 48h strike of the National Electricity Company (DEH) workers has seen 7 major power-factories shut their engines, with workers threatening to shut-down more and plunged Greece in black-out. The workers yesterday occupied the Unemployed Office Headquarters in Athens, the Company's offices in Ptolemaida and Megalopolis (both major power producing units) and a production unit in Agios Dimitrios. At the same time workers of WIND formed a demo outside the Labour Inspection headquarters in Athens in protest to the firing of one worker by the company, while workers of the textile industry ELITE blockaded the entrance of the Ministry of Labour. Meanwhile in the north of the country, ambulance workers have blockaded the Ministry of Macedonia and Thrace in Salonica, and textile workers of ENKLO industries occupied two major banks of the city of Komotini, as well as the County headquarters of Imathia.

On evening ADEDY staged a central protest march against the measures in Athens. An estimated crowd of more than 10,000 people, surrounded by strong riot police forces, reached Klathmonos square on its way to the Parliament, while the tail of the demo was still at the height of Rex on Panepistimiou street. The march was concluded with protesters throwing stones at the riot police squads guarding the parliament, and the cops responding with tear gas. One man has been detained. Similar protest marches took place in Thessaloniki and in Heraklion, Crete.

Moreover, taxi drivers and gas stations have called a 24h strike for Thursday.

About the attitude of the Greeks towards the electricty strikes, Taxikipali gives the followning assessment:

At the moment there does not seem to be any resentment towards the DEH strike, as one hour black-outs are not such a huge problem for daily life. Generally people are tolerant to problems created by strikes, or simply used to them. Of course the media do their best to vilify this and any strike as burdening the people, but such neoliberalist tricks are far off the target in the present situation where so many people are seeing their salaries cut.


Strikes to cause more disruption (by Pantelis Saitas /Athens News Agency)

Greek power strike leads to electricity shortage (from DPA)

Blackouts and minor clashes in Greece (from AP)

Greek labor unions end one more day of protests (from Xinhua News Agency, China)

Lambros Fountas: DNA tests thwart terror probe (by Ekathimerini)

Two cars of the Greek Diplomatic Corps burned in Brussels (from Cemab)

***

There's only one thing left to settle: our accounts with capital and it's state by "Proles and Poor's Credit Rating Agency" (TPTG), a Greek autonomous communist group (an analytical memorandum on the working class struggles against austerity measures in Greece, published 14th March 2010)

***

Foto from Ekathimerini

Greek Revolt: Updates 12th - 15th March

" ... Mother, I will not sit on my ass to become a houseman, slave and servant, submissive of the lords. Give me the light sword and the heavy rifle, to run up to the mountains and join my comrades ..." (Greek anarchist poster)

By Carlos Marxos Indymedia

(auf Deutsch hier)

__Friday 12th March 2010__

* The trial of the fascists about the events of the past days in Chania town on Crete island started today. Among them a well-known fascist Mr Karefylakis, responsible for organizing many fascistic teams in the town who act against immigrants and people who support the immigrants. The fascists are already sure that they will not be judged after being backed up by Nea Dimokratia and LAOS (right wing and fascistic parliament parties) who are involved in para-judge cycles. (watch also older update)

* The Confederation of Blind People condemns the cops that they sprayed tear-gas in front of their faces during the General Strike demonstration in Athens, despite that the police could make out that the protestors of the certain block were blind because of the well-known white sticks they used to hold on their hands.

* The rectorship of the Polytechnical University in Athens called for a senate after many pressures from students because of the entrence of cops in the Campus of Zografou district on 21st February (watch older update). The announcement: Decision of Rectors' Senate in National Polytechnical University, Athens 12th March 2010 We are witnessing a period when the government takes a frontal assault against the rights of youth and workers. On the opposite side has already become apparent the social discontent (de: Mißfallen) which is reflected in the mass struggles and strikes throughout the latter period. The attack on Asylum is part of the government policy and it is part of the plan is to remove social achievements (de: Errungenschaften). The Asylum is a historical achievement and had an important role for the struggles after the fall of the military junta. As this is non-negotiable for the entire academic community and therefore must be condemned, from any part of the Academic Community, any police intervention in asylum areas; interventions which can happen from the police authorities after the law of Ms Giannakou. The Polytechnichal Community with full awareness (de: in Kenntnis) of the deserved political responsibility and under the fact that we have defended the Asylum during limit and critical situations, both for the building complex at Patission Street and for the Polytechnical Campus in Zografou district, after the recent events on Sunday 21st February, we state that: A. The invitation of police forces does not face the alleged (de: angeblichen) violent actions by unknown persons which take place in the Institutions. In contrast, it upgrades the feeling of fear in the Higher Educational Institutes and contributes to the upgrading of repression and debate on the need for removal of Asylum law. B. The decisions to break the University Asylum require the consent of the Senate (collective expression of the university community). The assignment (de: Abtretung) of the decisions' rights to the Rector Shapes according to the Framelaw of Ms Giannakou is a trap and must not be applied. C. The certain decision of the Rectorship on 21st February can not and also must not create a precedent. Because there is a risk to get to what was experienced recently in the German Universities, namely braking the Asylum against the student and popular movement and the free movement of ideas. D. The polytechnical community will not tolerate any discussion of abolishing or restricting Asylum.


__Saturday 13th February 2010__

* Actions on the Exarcheia square against heroin dealers and other state repression methods still go on. And to remind for one more time: after the election of the new social-democratic government in October, the Exarcheia district were occupied by special pigs' forces any single night. After the resistance of the residents to this occupation, the government decided to move the heroin dealing in Exarcheia. We shall not also forget the cases that some kilos of heroin were also found on war-ships of NATO.

* Info Demonstration through the district of Chalandri against the government's and EU's economical measures. In the action participated out-parliamentary communistic organizations and residents of the neighbourhood. Fotos

* Intervention in a speech of Anna Diamantopoulou, education minister, by unpaid and unemployed educators. The fiesta of the minister had to make with the new laws for the education stractures she wants to vote, a new stracture that gives less money for education and employes less teachers. On the video, one of her body-guards tries to push away the protestors and his gun appears on common view. (Video)

* Intervention in front of a church in Ioannina town. The protestors rised plakats asking for the church fund property to be transfered to the public sector and ceperate the churche's relationships with the government.

* Action in Thessaloniki in memory of the anarchist Lambros Fountas, killed by cops on 10th March 2010. 10 luxurious, government and private security services vehicles were looted all around the town.


__Sunday 14th March 2010__

* Free translation from anarchy press: "Crowd Management ", another name for repression.

Practical and immediately began to be expressed the solidarity of Chancellor Merkel and the German state to Georgey (Greek priminister) and the Greek state. That's why today departed for Berlin the head of Greek Police Mr E. Oikonomou and the director of Special Violence Crimes' Treatement Division (anti-terrorist division) Mr Alkiviadis Tzoitis, in order to meet in the base of German Federal Police for Crime's Prosecution with their counterparts there "to exchange experiences and lessons for dealing on topics about models of big cities' policing, the organization and function of police units for searching and investigating serious forms of organized crime and terrorism, the protection of VIP's, as well as best practices regarding the management of a large number of protests and demonstrations". What seems to be in their immediate priorities, is directly related to the "management of the crowd" of the oppressed people and they are well aware that soon they will be kicked away by this crowd ... But the plans always fail as the people's wisdoms say and especially when these plans are published shamelessly ... Also this visit can not be considered as irrelevant by the analysis of the staffs of those in power, which show that the confrontational mood of the people is already in high levels. It would be wise from the side of the managers of powers to know that it will not be possible to "manage" the crowd and to suppress the anger of the oppressed people, when the anger will explode ...


__Monday 15th March 2010__

* The fascistic attacks on Creta island still go on. Early in the mourning fascists looted immigrants' cars.

* Workers of Public Electricity Company squatted symbolically the offices of OAED (public job office) in Alimos district of Athens, Ptolemaida town and Megalopoli. The workers condemn their wage and pensions cut-outs, stating also that the government dismisses workers while the working hours of employes get more and more. The workers also announced a 48-hours on 16th and 17th of March.

* The building of Imathia Prefecture in Veroia town squatted since early in the mourning from workers of United Textiles who are not paid for the last 12 months of their work. They also ask for the factories to start functioning again condemning the bosses that made profits against them and then shut down the business. The workers will also squat the building tomorrow. Meanwhile their co-workers of ELITE shoe factory are unemployed for four months now despite the government's promises that the shoe factory would not be closed.

* The doctors of Aglaia Kyriakou Children's Hospital in Athens and University Hospital in Larissa town under job retention since today. The doctors are not payed since November for their extra hours, when the hospitals are open during nights etc. They also condemn the lack of doctors, nurses and equipment in the hospitals which get under danger the lives of patients. On 24-hours strike tomorrow the nurses all around Greece against the cut-outs of their wages and condemning the lack of nurses in hospitals all around Greece.

* The Federation of Benzin-stations Owners announced a 24-hours strike on 18th of March.

* Wine producers and wine traders blocked the Corinthe - Tripolis Highway at Nemea town condemning economical facts of their sector and the lack of state support to farmers.

* 5 persons of the 11 arrested during the General Strike demonstration in Athens are accused with heavy crimes. One of them must stay in pre-jail custody according to the "hoodie-law" which was voted by the last government. The judge authorities decided to pre-jail him despite the fotos which prove that on the time of his arrest his face was not covered. (Fotos of the arrests, the guy with the rasta, scroll down; video of the certain arrest, 2'32" - 2'46")

Was tun mit dem Firmenmantel "SPD" ?

Schwierige Frage. Selbst Günter Bannas, der Berliner Polit-Stenograph der FAZ, kommt da ins Schwitzen:

"Womöglich ist zu definieren, was "Sozialdemokratie" heute bedeutet - und worin sie sich von der Merkel-Rüttgers-Seehofer-Union unterscheidet."

Wo möglich !

Zumindest hat sich jetzt schon mal einer der drei SPD-Kampfbullen geoutet.

Als "Frau, gläubig, links".

Da wär' man so nicht drauf gekommen.

***

Foto: Andrea Nahles, SPD-Generalsekretärin, Sigmar Gabriel, SPD-Vorsitzender, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, SPD-Fraktionsvorsitzender im Bundestag, in der Berliner Parteizentrale vor der Statue Willy Brandts / DPA

So ist's recht, so ist's recht

... das Kapital bedankt sich bei seinem Knecht.

Beziehungsweise Holger Schmieding, Chefvolkswirt der Bank of America Merrill Lynch, bedankt sich bei Giorgos Papandreou, dem Vorsitzenden der "Sozialistischen Internationalen":

"Noch ist die griechische Krise nicht ganz ausgestanden. Aber schon jetzt sollten wir den Hut vor der Regierung in Athen ziehen. Innerhalb von knapp drei Monaten hat sie zwei Sparprogramme durch das Parlament gebracht, wie es sie in der westlichen Welt selten gab. Dagegen war Deutschlands Agenda 2010 fast ein Zuckerschlecken. Mit Einsparungen von etwa 5 Prozent des Bruttoinlandprodukts mitten in einer Rezession ist Athen eindeutig auf den Pfad der Tugend eingeschwenkt."

Holger Schmieding, "Ein Lob für Athen", in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 15. März 2010, Seite 16

***

Foto: Giorgos Andrea Papandreou, Ministerpräsident Griechenlands, Vorsitzender der Panhellenischen Sozialistischen Bewegung Griechenlands (PASOK) und der Sozialistischen Internationalen.

Farewell to our comrade Lambros Fountas

Our comrade Lambros Fountas fell dead from the bullets of Greek police on early Wednesday morning in the suburb of Dafni (south Athens). He was 35 years old. The circumstances of his death are far from being clear. The police reclaims that he was shot during a gunfight, but it seems rather to have been a cold-blooded killing, because there are reports that he was hit on his left shoulder blade (which means he was hit from the back). Moreover, the police speaks now of three suspects allegedly surprised to steal a car in Dafni and prepared to carry out a "terrorist attack" on that day, but so far they weren't able to prove these conjectures. According to the police the two other comrades could escape during the alleged fire-exchange and are still at large. (An article about the events from the Greek newspaper Epochi, weekly aligned to SYRIZA, the Coalition of the Radical Left, is here, in English and German).

After Lambros' killing many houses around Attica have been searched by the police, while the Greek anarchists plastered the streets of Athens with posters to his honor. The Anarchist Archive, one of the oldest, most traditional and best-known anarchist groups in Greece, has published a farewell-text in the memory of Lambros Fountas, and also the revolutionary Giorgis Voutsis Voyatzis, imprisoned for bank robbery in Athens, has communicated a short letter of hommage to the killed comrade.

*Giorgos Voutsis Voyatzis, "A few words from the prison" (translation by Libcom.org; in German here)

Comrade Lambros was a true exemplar of a struggles for all of us. A real revolutionary, sworn enemy of apraxia - idleness or lack of praxis. Simple, sober, eclectic and decided. UNTIL THE END, LEADER OF HIS OWN SELF. Besides, he made no contract with life so that he cheated on it. A contract with life is signed by those who divorce from the choice of just-praxis or dikaiopraxia. Consider these not so big-phrased but honest words a last farewell to a comrade and combatant of freedom. Let praxis and actions speak ...

*Anarchist Archive of Athens, "Lambros our comrade"

(Translation from Act for freedom now - Spanish translation here & here - French - German)

The struggle of those who fight against all forms of power, who are anxious that each moment should not be wasted and who stubbornly maintain the belief that we are capable of creating a free and non-authoritarian world, is as distant from any kind of mythology or fiction as the earth is from the moon.

This struggle has had, has and will have countless casualties; dead, captured, and people who desist because they lose hope or compromise themselves because the powers that be have found the low or high price to buy them off.

Those seeking saints, martyrs or messiahs, or heroes and mythical beasts, are ultimately no different from those who do not miss the opportunity to point the finger at the scoundrels, the black sheep, the criminally suspect and those who politically have already lost. Both the superior beings depicted by one side and the extremist creatures from the other are equally expendable. In either case the purpose is to keep everyone sedated and docile, despite what the proponents of either side might claim.

Some ecstatically speak of those 'sacrificed', while the others piously try to measure the political loss. It is of little importance whether this convergence is achieved due to fanaticism or delusion, ignorance or expediency, for reasons of political visibility and survival or practising dogmatism. Those who are supposed to object shout to convince everyone that they have unfinished business with them, but this fraud is difficult to conceal. But so be it. This scenario is true and played to death, but the beaten path is always the most secure. Always? Or maybe it is not?

The following words, and those preceding them, are not the product of an obligation or sense of duty. Nor are they part of any revolutionary obituary. They are far away from and hostile to any attempt to mythologizing, ownership, engaging or disengaging, against the mud slung and the depreciation, which authority is already trying to spread after the disclosure of the identity and photograph of a dead "terrorist" following a gunfight with cops in Daphne. Lambros Fountas, who fell dead in a shootout with the crew of the police squad car in the area of Daphne is known for his anarchist activities.

From his years as a high school student he was socially active and would later join the anarchist group MAVRO AGATHI (Black Thorn), who issued the DROMI TIS ORGIS (Streets of Rage) 'zine/pamphlet/serial. He was active and participated in marches, rallies, social conflicts, demonstrations, flyposting, discussions and social events.

He was one of the thousands of young people not enrolled at the time with any political youth party involved in the student occupations, demonstrations and clashes prior to and after the murder of Professor N. Temponera in Patras. Those young people were inspired by the insurrectional events of January 1991 as well as anarchist ideas and practices that they appropriated with a vitality which words are incapable of describing. The anarchist group Black Thorn, until its dissolution, participated in the Co-operation of Anarchist Groups and Individuals for Social Solidarity and Diverse Action.

During the occupation of the Polytechnical University of Athens in 1995 for the anniversary of the 1973 Uprising, Lambros Fountas was among the 504 who were arrested by the repressive state forces that invaded the university grounds on the morning of November 18th. He was, therefore, among so many young people of a generation that the politically correct were quick to describe as lost. Among all those who chose their partners' hand and travelled the 1990s from protest to protest, from roadblock to roadblock, standing in solidarity with passion in every social aspect, who chose to confront power with their rights and their wrongs, their differences amongst themselves and their stubbornness, confounding the authority that wanted them to simply be passers by in the social struggles. Not that there weren't any such people. Quite the contrary. Since then I have met up with Lambros and been side by side many times in marches, roadblocks and clashes.

We solemnly believe that what the people who fight leave behind them, is what they really contribute and is not superficial to the liberation process from the shackles of oppression and exploitation. This is a legacy that transcends any needs, decisions and choices.

Because the means are not an end in themselves and don't differentiate those fighting, but rather reveal possibilities, they don't sanctify those who choose one or another form, nor do they put anyone on a pedestal. There are no unknown comrades who have been unfairly lost. Nor is the point principally, in these situations, the search for operational errors.

Equally, however, we do not agree with the logic that explanations are the privilege of priests, initiates or those well-educated in internal affairs or with those who deal with cases and craft scenarios all the time, that the answer may begin and end with motto: loss is a necessary evil. Our position must be straightforward and outspoken.

We close, saying goodbye to Lambros with an Indian wish (and certainty): The next time (we meet) will be better!

Anarchist Archive of Athens 11/3/10"

Greek struggles inspire the resurrection of Malta Communist Party

From The Times of Malta:

Malta Communist Party being resurrected

Sunday, 14th March 2010 - The Malta Communist Party is being resurrected after having been in limbo since 1989. Its secretary, Victor Degiovanni, this afternoon issued a statement about the situation in Greece, drawing comparisons with Malta.

He said when contacted that the party never died, but it had been inactive. "We will slowly get going again," he said, but added that there were no immediate plans to stand in the next general election.

The party traces its origins back to 1969. It contested the 1987 general election, with poor results, and none of its candidates was elected. Mr De Degiovanni became secretary six years ago.

In its statement, the Communist Party said it fully supported the struggles of the working people of Greece against the onslaught launched by the Social Democratic Administration of PASOK, supported by the other capitalist parties the Liberal ND and the extreme right LAOS, which were imposing anti-social measures instigated by the big capitalist countries in the EU and International Monetary Fund.

“The measures announced by PASOK are a frontal attack at workers' livelihood and serve only the interests of the ruling class that greedily looks only at profits, and would trample on worker’s rights to ensure it,” the party said.

“The Working Class in Greece has reacted courageously and is fighting back under the guidance of PAME and KKE which are in the frontline defending the worker’s rights and standard of living of the workers and their families”.

The party said a similar situation had arisen in Malta under the present Centre Right Government whereby the workers were facing anti-social policies and the dismantling of worker’s rights.

It said the government had raised basic energy utilities to an exorbitant level with the excuse of higher international prices of oil and gas, while at the same time prices of energy in other EU countries has gone down. "The Maltese workers as the Greek and other workers elsewhere, are being made to pay for the failure of neo- liberal policies. Poverty in Malta is rearing its head again and around 2000 families had their electricity and water supply cut as they could not afford to pay the bills, while 17% of the population is at risk of falling below poverty line."

The party said it supported trade unions of all countries and the working class in their struggle to fight neo-liberal policies, privatisation of public services, the attack on the working conditions and the right for the collective bargaining.

***

Photo: Protest March against austerity measures during the General Strike in Athens, Greece, 11th March 2010 / Aris Messinis AFP

Sussex students renew occupation and receive support from - Pakistan !

The suspended "Sussex Six" are now allowed back to campus under conditions

(Sign the e-petition against their suspension !)

The students campaigning against fees & cuts at Sussex university don't like draconian measures: Despite the suspension of six activists (following an office occupation on 3rd March) and in defiance of a High Court injunction banning ‘occupational protest’ on the campus, not only they mobilised this Thursday (11th March) an unprecedented 500 strong demonstration for the reinstatement of their excluded comrades, but they have staged subsequently a snap occupation of the university's main lecture hall. Already at around 5pm the university issued a partial climbdown and announced that the six would be allowed back on campus under certain restrictions. Because this would mean the "Sussex Six" continue to be singled out and victimized, the occupation of the hall is still ongoing. It is now on its third day - an impressive response to the management's & state's repressive attempt to nip each direct action in the bud.

On Friday also the Sussex staff publicly defied the court injunction to come to the occupation and show their support for students. Moreover, the occupiers received also a written statement of support from a law professor, Marie-Bénédicte Dembour, and even a moving solidarity address from the occupiers of a hotel in Karachi, Pakistan (documented below) !

On Saturday the Campaigners staged a new demonstration and marched to the building where an open day was held for visiting prospective students of Sussex. Solidarity comes now also from the "National Convention against Fees and Cuts" in the UK: At the London and Southern Regional Meeting on Wednesday, the Campaign decided to issue a call for further action in the week 13th- 20th March to support the lecturer's union 'strikes at Leeds and Sussex Universities on the 17th and 18th, and to support the calls for the re-instatement of the "Sussex Six".

* Statement of the Occupiers on Thursday 11th March:

"At 14:30 today 300 students and staff occupied the Lecture theatre Arts A2 in defiance of the high court injunction placed upon all persons entering or remaining on Sussex Campus and involved in the vaguely defined act of ‘occupational protest’. The occupation is in protest against the suspension and exclusion of six students involved in the previous occupation of Sussex House calling for their unconditional reinstatement.

We, the occupiers, stand in solidarity with all staff and workers facing compulsory redundancy, and all other areas on campus affected by the devestating cuts implemented by management.

We, the occupiers, have unanimously decided to remain until our demands are met. Until they are met this space will be open to all students and workers. We will use it for educational lectures, talks, critical debates, film screenings and to create an environment where the university community can come together to educate one another in an environment determined by us and for us.

We call upon students, workers and the wider community, locally, nationally, globally, to join us in the fight against educational cuts, job losses and the cuts in the public and private sectors.

Strike! Occupy! Resist!"

*Solidarity Address from PC Hotel Workers, Karachi, Pakistan

These 150 workers at Pearl Continental Hotel Karachi are protesting against the sacking of 4 union and over 98 other workers. In protest they have occupied the basement of the 5-star hotel for the last 9 days and despite police raids and bullying and threats by security guards they have not left the site of occupation (more on this action here):

"The PC Hotel Worker’s Union Pakistan and PC Hotel Worker’s Solidarity Committee Karachi express solidarity with the Sussex University students occupation against suspensions and false cases. The fightback by Sussex University students is a solid example for all those who say that it’s not possible for students and workers to fightback or make the capitalists pay. Your struggle, like ours, shows that it is possible to fightback against big bosses and the might of the state and together we will show that it is also possible to win.

We also recognise the parallels between hotel workers and the students struggle. Both of us suffer from the exploitation of the capitalists and the big bosses. Both of us are made to pay for the crisis of the capitalists but we never shared the gains when the bosses rake in billions. Your occupation is a becaon of hope for the millions of students fighting in Britain as well as an example to emulate for other students and workers across the world. We are fighting the same enemy and in this case with the same tools too. We know how difficult it is to sustain an occupation. We know how the bosses bring pressure on the occupiers by slamming false cases, injunctions and suspension and terminations. We know how difficult they make it for us by using the might of state to suppress our voice and to gain any form of solidarity. But we know we dont have an alternative. Its either our jobs or their sackings, there isnt any other alternative. So it is for you. Your occupation is an expression of solidarity for six, ours is an expression of solidarity for four. You have occupied in your hundreds, we have occupied in our hundreds. We have nothing to loose but our chains, you prove you have a world to win.

Long live the struggle for emancipation of working class of today and that of tommorow. Long live the struggle of workers and students across the world.

Fraternally,

PC Hotel Workers Occupation"

Read more about the Pearl Continental Hotel Workers' Occupation and sign the e-petition to support them here !

The Students' Letter of Reply to the Hotel Karachi Workers is here.

http://defendsussex.wordpress.com/

http://conventionagainstfeesandcuts.wordpress.com/

Γενική απεργία τώρα! General Strike Now !

The "Feature Page" of Indymedia Athens which gives a resumee about the last week of social fights taking place actually in Greece:

During the last days, thousands of workers expressed massively their conviction that the so-called "crisis" must be payed by those who created it. The imposition of unnecessarily increased taxation on basic needs' products, the cut-outs of wages and benefits, the new changes for the insurance system, were answered directly by the workers who immediately after the announcement of "economical measures" went out on the streets refusing to submit to the austerity program. Despite the state's efforts to spread social terror and social automation, the lustful wish of the ruling class to achieve an authoritarian consensus for the new measures was not successful !

We do not step back, we do not consent! The social-class war takes place on the streets!

On Thursday 4th of March in Athens, more than 10.000 protestors gathered at Propylaia and demonstrated through the centre of the city (Fotos-Videos / 2 ), while some hours before the leadership of GSEE (General Confederation of Workers in Greece) were refusing to call for a strike. On the same day demonstration took also place in Ioannina, Lamia, while in Arta were smashed the offices of PASOK ("socialistic" party on government).

The day before, on Wednesday 3rd of March, a gathering - demonstration took place on the island of Naxos.

On Friday 5th of March a new demonstration took place in Athens with mood for clashes and directed to the Labor Ministry, which shortly before had been evacuated, because of the fear caused to the authoritans from the crowd of protesters (Fotos - Videos) . During the same time at the gathering in front of the parliament, angry demonstrators gave the answer that corresponded to the President the GSEE. The MAT (Cops for Order Recovery) found themselves on the defensive several times during the demonstration, but despite this fact 5 protestors were arrested and they attacked with tear-gas on Manolis Glezos who was rushed to hospital and later to the intensive care unit. In addition, the Ministry of Interior employees have occupied the National Printing Office in order not to be printed the new law ... while since Wednesday 3rd of March is also occupied the State General Accounting Office. A strong demonstration took also place in Thessaloniki, with confrontational conclusion in front of the former Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace.

Latest news 3rd & 4th March 2010

Latest news 5th & 6th March 2010

Latest news 7th & 8th March 2010

Latest news 9th & 10th March 2010

On Thursday 11th March, a massive demonstration took place in Athens and in several other major cities in Greece. In Athens and Thessaloniki, more than 50.000 people took part in the General Strike against new govermental decisions and measures, while anarchists and youths clashed with riot police. In addition several banks, shopping centres, or state's buildings including one of the parliament's guarding cage were attacked.

Fotos [1], [2], [3], [4] and Video from Athens

Latest news, 11th March 2010

Updates from Athens on the General Strike day, 11 March 2010