INTERNET SOLIDARITY CONCERT, to cover the court costs of the demonstrators on 17 NOVEMBER 2020

CALL FOR SUPPORT OF ΤHE SOCIAL MOVEMENT IN GREECE

In Greece - just like in your country – the people are put to the test due to the Covid-19 pandemic which in the same time reveals the inadequacies and pathogens of the European establishment. The public health care system, which is degraded and hit by the EU neoliberal model, is still underfunded just as every other public infrastructure. The only tools employed by the state in order to confront the pandemic are curfews and the restriction of liberty. Using the pandemic as a pretense the Greek Government targets labor and social rights, while also threatening anyone who resists, breaching fundamental democratic rights and restricting constitutional liberties.

Having imposed one of the higher fines in Europe (300€ and discussing its raise to 500€), the Government tries to silence any opposition. In a country, where there is a 546€ minimum wage and a 20% rate of unemployment, terrorizing those who fight for social justice also takes the form of economic breakdown. For the poor and the working people, the fine costs as much as a month’s salary.

Even further, public demonstrations are banned. Consecutive bans issued by the Chief of Greek Police - taking advantage of the recent bill that proscribes public demonstrations - unions and movements are prohibited from expressing their opposition. Demonstrators do not only face slander by the Mass Media. They are also subjected to brutal police violence and repression, while having to deal with extortionate fines.

In particular, a few days prior to 17/11/2020 the Greek Police banned all public assemblies of more than three persons and Riot Police swarmed every Greek city. In fact, on that very day we commemorate through our struggle the Athens Polytechnic Uprising (1973), a massive student and popular uprising in 1973, which ultimately led to the downfall of the 7-year military Junta in 1974. In spite of the ban, the people took to the streets of all major Greek cities (including Thessaloniki) and rallied against the Government demanding better working conditions, healthcare, education and liberties. The rally began with everyone keeping as safe distance between themselves and others, while also wearing masks. The Riot Police, however, rounded up the demonstrators and forced them to crowd in. This unprecedented police operation in Thessaloniki lasted for two hours, while 94 fines were issued. Additionally, 28 demonstrators were brought in for inspection of their criminal record, and 6 of them were arrested. One demonstrator was falsely and arbitrarily arrested as the rally’s “coordinator”, who was also charged for inciting people to public disobedience and received a 3.000€ fine. These charges were dictated by the new bill banning public demonstrations that was enforced the first time.

The state continues to issue bans and fines to those who dare to express opposition to the Government and new bills - in spite of the people keeping Covid-19 protocols. No matter the hardships, the social movement in Greece will hang in. Those who destroyed the Welfare State and the public healthcare system in Greece are hypocrites and hold sole responsibility for the people’s plight. We hold fast to protecting the people’s health and well-being through our struggle towards social justice.

We formed this initiative as a means to resist against the Government’s effort to restrict the freedom of assembly, the cornerstone of democracy. This initiative offers political, legal and economic support to the demonstrators and calls every union, group, movement, and individual with social and democratic awareness in Europe to profess their solidarity. We deny to pay these unlawful fines and collect money to cover the costs of taking our case to court. We cannot let the Government to prohibit the right to assembly and we must support every demonstrator who dares to express opposition. We will overcome fear as solidarity paves the way.

SOLIDARITY UNITES US