Repression and resistance in Greece

THOUSANDS of angry Greeks will take to the streets today (Sunday) on the anniversary of the death of teenager Alexandros Grigoropolous.

The stakes have been raised by draconian state action yesterday, in which 160 people were arrested in police raids ahead of the mass protests.

As part of the response, the Polytechnic university of Athens was occupied. A statement was issued declaring: "A year after the murder of by the Greek state, the regime enforcing army are attempting to seize every corner of the city.

"The uniformed murderers have invaded the social centre, 'Resalto', in Keratsini. They attacked youths and have blockaded all entrances and exits to places of social and political struggle. They have surrounded Exarhia and the Polytechnic, and continue to make large numbers of arrests and detainments.

"The puppets of the regime, the media, are transmitting state propaganda and as a result are creating an atmosphere and terror.

"One year after the social upheaval of December 2008, the system of oppression and exploitation is once again attempting to re-assert its authority. The Government are attempting to enforce a state of emergency in order to drown out social utrage and enforce the silence of a cemetery on society. We are calling every person who wants to resist to do so by any means possible."

A later post on the After the Greek Riots site on Saturday added: "The message is becoming crystal-clear: democracy takes no chances, it only takes prisoners. Democracy smashes into the spaces that annoy it to the slightest; it only democracy to invert history: the assassins become the victims, the victims become the villains.

"But tomorrow is our day. Demonstrations have been called for in cities across the country (Mytilene, Heraklion, Larisa, Sparta, Agrinio, Thessaloniki, Kilkis, Corfu, Xanthi, Samos, Athens, Rhodes, Lamia, Serres, Volos, Giannena, Patras, Arta, Corinth, Kardisa)."

The building of “Olympion” cinema, in the northern city of Thessaloniki has now also been occuped (see photo). It’s one of the most central spots of the city (Aristotle square) and it was taken in order to convert it to a focus for resistance. A communique was published and handed out calling for “everyone to go out to the streets”.

After the Greek Riots is promising ongoing coverage of the unfolding events.