Battle for the squats in Athens

[Sasha]

[ Battle for the squats in Athens


http://libcom.org/files/imagecache/article/images/blog/734915_506348822721433_869797256_n.jpg (http://libcom.org/files/images/blog/734915_506348822721433_869797256_n.jpg)


The battle against the eviction of squats in Greece heats up as more occupations are attacked and dozens arrested.



There now seems little doubt that the Greek state is carrying out a sizeable and sustained assault on squats and the anarchists movement in general. In the last weeks as well as Villa Amalias, two other squats in central Athens have been attacked by police forces. This may just be the beginning of a bigger operation. A leaked report (http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/2013/01/10/greek-police-leak-plan-to-evict-40-squats-across-the-country/) suggests that the Greek police are planning to attack 40 squats around the country. After the events of the last few days there also seems little doubt that should the police carry out this plan they will have to fight for every single building.
The eviction of one of the oldest squats in Athens, Villa Amalias, on 20th December was the first strike. Soon after came a raid against another occupied building known as ASOEE. Next after the attempt to reoccupy Villa Amalias on the 9th January the police targeted the Skaramanga squat. A leaked police plan reported on mainstream Greek media (http://news.in.gr/greece/article/?aid=1231229811)suggests that the next stage of this assault would target up to 40 occupied buildings across Greece. The raid on Skaramanga was probably planned for a later date but brought forward as a retaliation for the reoccupation of Villa Amalias. Rather than isolated raids the events of the last week would seem to be part of a strategy of repression aimed directly against the anarchist movement in Greece.
Throughout the years of social unrest unleashed by continuous rounds of harsh austerity measures ideas and actions of resistance have been increasing in Greece. Over the last months there has been a marked increase in repressive tactics against any section of society which could offer resistance. Workers on strike have been attacked, journalists reporting corruption have been arrested, anti-migrant sweeps have led to 60,000 detentions, and new weapons such as water cannon have been deployed. These latest attacks show the squats to be the next target for state repression.
In the face of this attack people have not been passive and have jumped to defend the squats and their communities. The most dramatic and powerful day so far was certainly the 9th January. Early in the morning there was a daring attempt to reoccupy Villa Amalias. Dozens of people managed to get back inside the building despite a police presence. Soon however substantial police reinforcements were brought up and the building invaded again. This led to the detention of around 100 people who were taken away to the police headquarters shouting the traditional slogan 'the passion for freedom is stronger than the prisons'. In a statement released by the arrested they demonstrate clearly their determination not to give up in the face of repression:
Quote:

''We re-occupied the guarded Villa Amalias knowing that we will be attacked and obviously that we would be arrested. We will do it again, as many times as it takes, for this and for any other social space of resistance of those from below that might come under attack. We say it once again, tirelessly: neither their weapons, nor their slandering can scare us. ''
As soon as news spread about the occupation and the police attack more actions took place around the city. The offices of the governmental party DIMAR were briefly occupied in solidarity until it too was attacked leading to another 40 detentions. Protests then moved around the centre of Athens with police forces using tear gas to remove people from the finance ministry building. It was about this time that the Skarmanga squat was raided with another eight people being detained. Throughout the day there were protests, gatherings and assemblies in active support of the squats and those detained. By the end of the night police forces had invaded the neighbourhood of Exarchia which is regarded as something of an autonomous space.
The total number of detentions came to around 150 which would mean this is the single biggest number of anarchists arrested in one day for 15 years. Many of these face charges including 92 from Villa Amalias who at the time of writing are still being held at the police headquarters.
So it seems we have entered a new dangerous phase in Greece. The state has selected its next target and people are left wondering who will be attacked next. Instead of fear however people have reacted boldly and the bonds of solidarity are going stronger. The events of 9th January show that people aren't bowing down they are resisting repression together. The original raid on Villa Amalias took place three weeks ago and yet the battle still continues. The community of the Villa has not been crushed. In light of this the police plan to attack dozens more squats suddenly seems very ambitious as they will have to fight for every single one. In the words of the arrested (http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/2013/01/10/we-will-do-it-again-as-many-times-as-it-takes-statement-by-the-93-arrested-from-inside-the-police-hq/):
Quote:

'Against the hurricane of repression, let’s pit the storm of solidarity!'



source; http://libcom.org/blog/battle-squats-athens-11012013

[Sasha]

“Parartima was and will remain liberated land”: a few words on the targeting of the “Parartima”* occupation in Patras Friday, January 11, 2013 A few words on the targeting of the “Parartima”* occupation in Patras

Since yesterday, those miserable provincial journalists of our little town have kept reproducing a ready-made story, of the kind that the police distribute – and that refers to the two occupations of the city of Patras: Parartima and Maragkopouleio.

It appears that they are unable to abstain from the crescendo of authoritarianism and narking by which you can tell every loyal servant of the memorandum-led authority. But then, from that point to the erasure of 40 years’ history of social struggles, there is much of a distance to cover…

We’ll repeat the story, in the off-chance that they remember it.

It is already 40 years now that Parartima serves as a point of reference for the local community of Patras. It belongs to no-one. Not, of course, for the mayor, nor to those currently using it. Parartima belongs to all the people of Patras who have been resisting since November 1973 up to December 2008, from the student protests of 1991 and Temponeras’ murder to the events of 1985 that led to Kalteza’s murder. It belongs to the hundreds of thousands pupils, students and workers of this town who have at times turned this space into a place of Struggle, Resistance, Solidarity – in such a way that it is impossible for any resident of this town to ignore its existence. This is where tens of events take place at a weekly basis; this is where all those persecuted migrants – by the police’s ‘Xenios Zeus’ operation –– sought asylum last autumn, a space from where demonstrations and students protests start and where the revolted dignity of 2008 was crouched together.

What the older ones call ‘university’ and the youngest ‘Parartima’ is actually a social and not a university asylum, as the lackeys’ rags would have it back in 2008. This is why power cannot even touch it. And this is something all those arrogant cronk writers of the various tabloid websites (dete, thebest) know well – but even more than them, it is something all those who have ever passed through this place know.

The attempt to transfer the ‘war’ from the metropolis to the periphery is not going to be an easy one. Memories, struggles, the locality of resistance and the roots of struggle, the multiple meanings that spaces of resistance acquire – they will all form a barrier against this Law and Order operation.

We are here and we are waiting for you…

PS: If you wish, we can also talk about those 500 million drachmas [approx 1, 5 million euros – translator] that were spent supposedly in order to convert the space into a ‘conference centre’, or for the money spent so as to let it rot: we have kept these disgraceful invoices that we found in the trash…

PS2: We could also talk about the supposedly “accidental” arson of 1992 that preceded the regeneration of the building…

Parartima was and will remain liberated land.

More information on the past and the present of the space: http://pararthma.squat.gr/

http://kanali.wordpress.com/2009/10/26/pararthma_patra_1978/

http://manitaritoubounou.wordpress.com/2008/11/15/1973-parartima-patras-xristianiki-1/

http://paliapatra.gr/index.php?/category/38

* Parartima (lit. Annex) is a building in central Patras where the city’s university was originally hosted before its relocation to the suburban campus of Rio. Parartima has been a long-standing political occupation, as explained in the text.

SOURCE; http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/2013/01/11/parartima-was-and-will-remain-liberated-land-a-few-words-on-the-targeting-of-the-%e2%80%9cparartima%e2%80%9d-occupation-in-patras/

[Sasha]

10,000 people march in solidarity to Villa Amalias and against state fascism in Athens

Today takes place a 10,000 people demonstration in solidarity to the 92 people arrested on Wednesday after the re-eviction of Villa Amalias and against the state-run fascism. The demonstration started from Propylaea of Athens University and marched via Patision avenue to the courthouse of Evelpidon where they remain waiting for the decision of the attorney general about the 92 arrested who still are detained. The first 10 were released a couple of hours ago until their trial.
More demonstrations in solidarity to the squats took place in Thessaloniki, Chania, Mitilini, Patra, Heracleon and to other cities.
http://vstatic.doldigital.net/vimawebstatic/7BADAB3CFBF4E32062306F5FC341B36A.jpg






http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/2013/01/12/over-10000-people-march-in-solidarity-to-villa-amalias-and-against-state-fascism-in-athens/

[GiantMonkeyMan]

If they were truly revolutionary, Syriza and KKE would be coming out in solidarity and blocking the police raids on these places with their numbers. People are getting kicked out their homes and being dragged by fascists to a five by five new home made of concrete. God, I'm depressed today, feeling alienated as fuck, and shit like this isn't helping.

[Delenda Carthago]

If they were truly revolutionary, Syriza and KKE would be coming out in solidarity and blocking the police raids on these places with their numbers. People are getting kicked out their homes and being dragged by fascists to a five by five new home made of concrete. God, I'm depressed today, feeling alienated as fuck, and shit like this isn't helping.
That is the stupidest fuckin thing I ve heard for the last 2 weeks that this shit is around. And I ve heard a lot. So, in a way, well done!:thumbup1:

[GiantMonkeyMan]

That is the stupidest fuckin thing I ve heard for the last 2 weeks that this shit is around. And I ve heard a lot. So, in a way, well done!:thumbup1:
From a detached, outsider perspective, I'm pragmatic and actually see KKE and PAME as one of the only sources of viable mass organised struggle against the Greek state and the Greek national bourgeoisie but with that detached perspective I also am critical and it fucking irritates me when they seem very selective in their stances of solidarity towards other Greeks. What's the inside scoop? What's the reason KKE aren't utilising their mass numbers to prevent people from essentially being evicted from their homes?

For once I'd love to see a news story where communists fight off police to save an anarchist squat or a group of anarchists defend a communist trade union from strike breakers instead of the inevitable dismissal or outright violence between two revolutionary groups.

[Sasha]

some pics;

https://www.indymedia.nl/indyfiles/imagecache/cropstrip/raw/408533_506890999333882_2055784852_n.jpg
https://www.indymedia.nl/indyfiles/imagecache/cropstrip/raw/542217_525607100794145_1323434852_n.jpg
https://www.indymedia.nl/indyfiles/imagecache/cropstrip/raw/704857_506827406006908_1097470877_o.jpg



https://www.indymedia.nl/indyfiles/imagecache/cropstrip/raw/734850_291404317648729_1355209576_n.jpg
https://www.indymedia.nl/indyfiles/imagecache/cropstrip/raw/740978_506820492674266_32481649_o.jpg

[Sasha]

57273736

[FSL]

to prevent people from essentially being evicted from their homes?

You misunderstood, it's not someone's house.
Maybe you have examples of other squats in your mind.

People don't live there, it's a place some anarchists meet, they have film showings etc.

[GiantMonkeyMan]

You misunderstood, it's not someone's house.
Maybe you have examples of other squats in your mind.

People don't live there, it's a place some anarchists meet, they have film showings etc.
So that makes it alright then? :confused:

Look, I was feeling depressed the day I posted but my feelings essentially remain the same. I want something positive to come out of Greece for a change instead of police beating the shit out of anyone vaguely foreign and anarchists being arrested en masse.

[La Guaneña]

I hope all those people in the video are ready for revenge :sneaky:

[Sasha]

seems they quite where/are (see 1:10 mark);

d-2Mhq5fM20


Video from the squat solidarity demo in Athens (Jan 12) by the Diakoptes (switches) collective (http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/2013/01/14/video-from-the-squat-solidarity-demo-in-athens-jan-12-by-the-diakoptes-switches-collective/) Monday, January 14, 2013
Diakoptes (http://diakoptes.blogspot.gr/) [Switches/ cut-offs] is a collective of workers in the spectacle industry.
“Diakoptes”, is a group of cinema and television technicians that try to discuss and communicate the issues of their work, to go out on the streets, protest and challenge the inactivity. Believing in autonomy, away from the working unions that are influenced by political parties, believing in class struggle, in collective, self-organized and antihierarchical action, believing that everything starts from the workers themselves.

[Ravachol]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21009702



Shots have been fired at the Athens headquarters of Greece's ruling New Democracy party, but nobody was hurt.

No party officials were there when the attack happened early on Monday.

A bullet landed in an office sometimes used by the conservative Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras.

A government spokesman said left-wing anarchist groups were suspected. In recent days three of the party's offices have been attacked. Small bombs have been placed at journalists' homes.

At least one Kalashnikov assault rifle was used in Monday's attack and nine bullet cases were found. The spokesman said there appeared to be two assailants involved.

The bullets hit Mr Samaras' office at the party headquarters - though he normally works from a different building in central Athens.

The spate of attacks comes after police recently raided a large squat, arresting many anarchists inside and confiscating petrol bombs and other material, the BBC's Mark Lowen reports from Athens.

A group calling itself Militant Minority said it was behind the attacks on the houses of the journalists who were, it claimed, "official representatives of the system".

The government spokesman called the attacks an "easy way to make an impression" by groups who were "breathing their last gasp".


http://libcom.org/blog/pms-office-fired-upon-athens-14012013



Early this morning the main office of governmental party New Democracy was fired upon with an AK47. This is the latest in a series of attacks on political and media targets in the last few days.

In the early hours of this morning shots were fired at the main office of the government party New Democracy in central Athens. Media reports claim that around 9 shots were fired at the building which was empty at the time. At least one of the shots hit the Prime Minster's office itself. This attack is the latest in a series of incidents which have targeted banks, political offices and members of the media and government in the last few days.

The media have counted a total of 17 incendiary attacks over the weekend with most major political parties targeted. Early on Sunday morning the house of the brother of Simos Kedikoglou a government spokesman was attacked with fire bombs. This followed a series of arson attacks against the homes of members of the media a few days before. Statements on different website have claimed some of the attacks to have been carried by groups called 'Militant Minority' and 'Lovers of Lawlessness'.

The incendiary attacks are normally made with the use of gas canisters or petrol bombs and are fairly common. Such attacks frequently target bank branches and ATMs. What is unusual at the moment is the frequently of the attacks in the last few days. All this adds to the tension in Athens after last weeks raids on squats in the city. None of the recent attacks have caused any injury to people as they have only targeted offices and property.

The attacks have also led to a political row between the government and the left opposition party SYRIZA. The government claims that SYRIZA are supporting a growing trend toward political violence by not fully condemning the attacks. In response SYRIZA have accused the government of trying to create a 'civil war type climate' by trying to increase the divisions between left and right.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20990674



Arson attacks have been carried out on the homes of five Greek journalists.

Anarchists angry at media coverage of the country's economic crisis say they carried out the attacks, which caused little damage and no injuries.

Makeshift gas canister bombs exploded in the early hours of Friday morning in five neighbourhoods outside blocks of flats where journalists live.

One of those targeted was Antonis Skyllakos, director of the state-run Athens News Agency.

In a statement posted on a leftist website, anarchists calling themselves Lovers of Lawlessness said of those targeted: "While they use a pro-workers rhetoric, they wink mischievously at their political bosses."

Police said anarchists had used such methods in the past, but it is the first time since Greece's debt crisis erupted in 2009 that journalists have been targeted.

"This is an attempt to openly terrorise the media, a vital part of our democracy," said coalition government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou.

[Thirsty Crow]

That is the stupidest fuckin thing I ve heard for the last 2 weeks that this shit is around. And I ve heard a lot. So, in a way, well done!:thumbup1:
So you really think that there is no purpose to make some, even though small, steps towards some kind, however modest, of a rapprochment between anarchists and KKE/PAME? Of course, there are alternatives of course. SYRIZA comes to mind as maybe a slightly less stupid thing you could hear. Or the official unions? Or a KKE government with a majority? 50+ % of votes isn't such an ambitious goal after all, right?

[Art Vandelay]

That is the stupidest fuckin thing I ve heard for the last 2 weeks that this shit is around. And I ve heard a lot. So, in a way, well done!:thumbup1:

What on earth are you talking about? His suggestion was in all honesty spot on.

[Sasha]

another decades old political squat in athens got raided today;
Athens: Police raid in Lelas Karagianni squat


http://en.contrainfo.espiv.net/files/2013/01/lelas_karagianni.jpg (http://en.contrainfo.espiv.net/files/2013/01/lelas_karagianni.jpg)The upper banner reads: ‘FASCISM SHALL NOT PASS. NO PASARAN!’ and the other reads: ‘24 YEARS LK37 SQUAT’


On January 15th (https://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=1449673), at about 12.00pm, cops raided Greece’s oldest anarchist squat, Lelas Karagianni 37 (http://squathost.com/lelas_k/). Solidarians and neighbours gathered at Amerikis square and then outside the squat, trying to prevent the eviction. There were several comrades chanting slogans on the rooftop of the building that were caught by the police. Also, two solidarians were beaten by cops on the street and detained as well. Heavy repressive forces were deployed downtown, plus a police helicopter.
Soon thereafter, more people were assembled near the evicted squat. A gathering was called (https://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=1449740) for 15.00pm outside the police headquarters on Alexandras Avenue, in solidarity with the 14 squatters who were arrested from inside Lelas Karagianni, and a discussion was announced for 19.00pm in the Athens Polytechnic (entrance from Stournari street).
IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF ALL COMRADES!



http://en.contrainfo.espiv.net/files/2013/01/cops-at-lelas-karagianni-squat.jpg (http://en.contrainfo.espiv.net/files/2013/01/cops-at-lelas-karagianni-squat.jpg)

[Sasha]

Some good news, the squat evicted today (the oldest existing squat in anthens) got resquated only a few hours later!
http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/2013/01/15/lelas-karagianni-squat-has-been-re-occupied/

[Art Vandelay]

Some good news, the squat evicted today (the oldest existing squat in anthens) got resquated only a few hours later!
http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/2013/01/15/lelas-karagianni-squat-has-been-re-occupied/

Do you think there is any chance of the state simply getting frustrated and giving up on this anti-squat rampage they seem to be on.

[Delenda Carthago]

So you really think that there is no purpose to make some, even though small, steps towards some kind, however modest, of a rapprochment between anarchists and KKE/PAME? Of course, there are alternatives of course. SYRIZA comes to mind as maybe a slightly less stupid thing you could hear. Or the official unions? Or a KKE government with a majority? 50+ % of votes isn't such an ambitious goal after all, right?
Reapproachment to do what? Where does it matter? What common ground is there between the two? They have no pressence in the workers movement, and we do not do their kind of politics.

We are not fighting anymore at the demos(as a matter of fact our guards protected many of them in the last strike when the cops attacked) and we claimed solidarity when the antifaschists were tortured in the police HQ. Does that mean that KKE is not revolutionary because it didnt guessed that that morning the cops would go and raid the squat? Or that it is KKE's responsibility whatsoever? Or that KKE should give a rats ass for the subject whatsoever? We dont agree with politcal squats on public buildings, we propose that these buildings should be forced to the major's under the pressure of the people's movement to be turned into something for the public benefit.

That doesnt mean that we would do anything against the anarchists squats, but neither we gon do anything for them. We simply dont care.


PS. We have rejected the participation in a capitalist government. And we have made it very clear that we do not care for it. And also the connection with SYRIZA and "the official unions".

[Ravachol]

we propose that these buildings should be forced to the major's under the pressure of the people's movement to be turned into something for the public benefit.

hahahahah :laugh:


Reapproachment to do what? Where does it matter? What common ground is there between the two? (..) That doesnt mean that we would do anything against the anarchists squats, but neither we gon do anything for them. We simply dont care.

Seems fair enough

[Delenda Carthago]

*major= municipality.

[KurtFF8]

We dont agree with politcal squats on public buildings, we propose that these buildings should be forced to the major's under the pressure of the people's movement to be turned into something for the public benefit.

But it doesn't seem as if the government was about to do that, so I don't see any reasons to oppose (politically) the anarchists reclaiming that space.

If anything, it puts into action the idea that buildings need to be reclaimed for alternative purposes: which is something I would imagine fits in quite well with the KKE's perspectives of housing and public space.

[Art Vandelay]

What type of social spaces are these squats being turned into? I would have to say that turning them into safe places for those without homes to live in, would seem better then starting a film society or whatever.

[Delenda Carthago]

What type of social spaces are these squats being turned into? I would have to say that turning them into safe places for those without homes to live in, would seem better then starting a film society or whatever.
Nothing for now. And Villa Amalias was a punk-rock squat, mostly occupied with concerts.

[Thirsty Crow]

Reapproachment to do what? Where does it matter? What common ground is there between the two? They have no pressence in the workers movement, and we do not do their kind of politics.All valid and good questions.

The way I see it, stripped to the bone, would be something like this: both anarchists and KKE oppose capitalism and the bourgeois state in Greece. I'm not going to address some of the more serious shortcomings of both sides in their conceptualization of a possible social transformation in the direction of a classless society.

But I think that this common opposition is the minimum grounds for a possible contact, if not rapproachment. And by that, I do not mean a full fledged political orientation as designed by the national central committee of your party - I am merely raising the question of local branches, groups, perhaps within KNE as well, realizing that the current situation of continuous electioneering while standing in opposition to the state and capital (nominally or actually, that's not relevant for now), and correctly assessing SYRIZA for what it is, is no longer viable and that at least one step out of it would be to make contacts outside of the safe zone of the party and PAME.



Does that mean that KKE is not revolutionary because it didnt guessed that that morning the cops would go and raid the squat? Or that it is KKE's responsibility whatsoever? Or that KKE should give a rats ass for the subject whatsoever? Well I think that you should give a rat's ass about that, actually.
Especially since it might be KKE offices that could receive such friendly treatment, though by other means of course. And of course, the mere recognition that the bourgeois state is stepping in for a very clear purpose - one that your party does not support, at least explicitly - should make you all think.


PS. We have rejected the participation in a capitalist government. And we have made it very clear that we do not care for it. And also the connection with SYRIZA and "the official unions".Of course I know that.
But this might change as well as time passes by and the results of the current situation of isolation become tangible. This is my point.


But it doesn't seem as if the government was about to do that, so I don't see any reasons to oppose (politically) the anarchists reclaiming that space.

As far as I'm aware, KKE didn't do this. As Delenda states, they simply don't care.

[Ravachol]

For all the SYRIZA asslickers on this forum: http://anarchistnews.org/content/anarchists-calling-themselves-lovers-lawlessness-core-circles-offenders-and-fighting



A statement by SYRIZA followed, condemning the attacks, and noting: "Once again, such dangerous actions provide an alibi for a government that has adopted a strategy of division, violence and terror against the Greek society, so that it can continue to restrict democracy." The statement also reads that SYRIZA absolutely condemns today's attacks against homes of journalists. "Today's statement of the government spokesman is an absolute example. It proclaimed the recent days' division and intolerance in a laughable but dangerous way ... The fight to protect public and political rights of the world of the working will continue on the basis of mass united peaceful struggles, whether today's government of the memorandum wants it or not."

Fofi Genimata, PASOK's press officer, also condemned the attacks against journalists. "This chain of blind violence, lawlessness and political instability, with attacks on offices of political parties, public buildings and universities, politicians, and, now, journalists, is an organised plan for terror and must be stopped immediately," reads the party statement. "Social and political peace must be kept by all means, without cheap excuses. All political and social forces are obliged to defend our country's democratic nature."

The Democratic Left noted that violence has become endemic. After the attacks against radio stations, buildings, party offices, now there are firebombs against homes of journalists. The party condemned the attacks, which, according to them, are directed against society and democracy, and offend freedom of thought. It is noted that all political parties should take a clear position against violence.

General Secretary of the Communist Party Aleka Papariga said the party condemns the attacks, and the main question is what kind of combat society needs today and where these events will lead to.


Not that it ever wasn't a part of it, but its always nice to see SYRIZA (together with the KKE and DIMAR) firmly positioning itself on the side of the 'Party of Order'. Following the state's dictum to 'confess colors' they all fall in line within the ranks of 'democracy' and 'public debate'.

[Delenda Carthago]

The way I see it, stripped to the bone, would be something like this: both anarchists and KKE oppose capitalism and the bourgeois state in Greece. I'm not going to address some of the more serious shortcomings of both sides in their conceptualization of a possible social transformation in the direction of a classless society.

But I think that this common opposition is the minimum grounds for a possible contact, if not rapproachment. And by that, I do not mean a full fledged political orientation as designed by the national central committee of your party - I am merely raising the question of local branches, groups, perhaps within KNE as well, realizing that the current situation of continuous electioneering while standing in opposition to the state and capital (nominally or actually, that's not relevant for now), and correctly assessing SYRIZA for what it is, is no longer viable and that at least one step out of it would be to make contacts outside of the safe zone of the party and PAME.


Yes but these things dont happen in a political way of dealing with them, but on the class struggle itself. You cant deal with it on a way of dealing with personal likes. Whether KKE and anarchists can come together in a common strategy, only life itself will show. But given the stupidity of many people like Ranachol above me who believe that the way to build a massive, revolutionary and democratic working class force is to make arsons and to adopt a dialectic not Labor-Capital, but "revolteds"-"the party of Order", I have to say that the chanses are already slim unfortunatly.


Well I think that you should give a rat's ass about that, actually.
Especially since it might be KKE offices that could receive such friendly treatment, though by other means of course. And of course, the mere recognition that the bourgeois state is stepping in for a very clear purpose - one that your party does not support, at least explicitly - should make you all think.

KKE has received that kind of hostility from the State already. As we speak, syndicalists of PAME in a factory I cannot recall right now are facing jail time for being fuckin true syndicalists and not sell outs. Also a very good example of State terrorising the working class was the riot cops invading and ending the Steelworks strike. These and many others on that nature, are much more important and characterizing incidents on the totalitarian nature of the System in comparasing with the squats raids.
Another example the ""zartiniera incident", where in 2006 a young univercity student got fuckin jumped by 6 undercover cops. The trial was yesterday, they were 4/6 not guilty, and the other two got minimum penaldies. The cameras got the incident, check it out, its horrible.

LgTREwHpsFA

[GiantMonkeyMan]

Yes but these things dont happen in a political way of dealing with them, but on the class struggle itself. You cant deal with it on a way of dealing with personal likes. Whether KKE and anarchists can come together in a common strategy, only life itself will show. But given the stupidity of many people like Ranachol above me who believe that the way to build a massive, revolutionary and democratic working class force is to make arsons and to adopt a dialectic not Labor-Capital, but "revolteds"-"the party of Order", I have to say that the chanses are already slim unfortunatly.
Indeed I don't think that in the broader struggle anarchists and communists can reconcile their strategic differences but tactically I think it makes sense for KKE to be defending places like these squats even if they're 'only' cinemas and meeting places (which I, personally, think is a pretty good use for the community, to be honest) because this is the sort of thing communists should be struggling for; democratically and communally owned spaces. It, of course, has to work both ways and there should be some mutual support from anarchist groups as well. All those marching in psycho's videos, for example, would have been mightily handy in preventing the police from breaking the steelworkers strike. The working class, whether communist or anarchist, have more in common with each other than with the ruling class and only hinder our struggle if we divide ourselves.

[Thirsty Crow]

Yes but these things dont happen in a political way of dealing with them, but on the class struggle itself. You cant deal with it on a way of dealing with personal likes.
I'm not really sure what you're saying here.

My contention is that outside concrete struggles, there could be contacts between anarchists and groups/individuals in KKE. Both political groups should realize that the current situation is not viable and that it represents all sorts of dangers - for KKE, a fall into open reformism, for anarchists, hopeless minority action from without the broader class struggle.


Whether KKE and anarchists can come together in a common strategy, only life itself will show.
I'm not even talking about a common strategy, but merely about contacts and some signs of possible joint work.


But given the stupidity of many people like Ranachol above me who believe that the way to build a massive, revolutionary and democratic working class force is to make arsons and to adopt a dialectic not Labor-Capital, but "revolteds"-"the party of Order", I have to say that the chanses are already slim unfortunatly.
I don't think this is a fair assessment. See, it is far too easy to write off any anarchist that does not oppose violent direct action as hopeless, and frankly, it is indicative of the gravity of the situation you face, and a part of it is the attitude fostered by the KKE leadership.


KKE has received that kind of hostility from the State already.
I'd be surprised if you didn't.
Are you aware of some of the reaction coming from the anarchist millieu?

[Delenda Carthago]

I'm not really sure what you're saying here.

I am saying that whether there is a possible space to get connected with anarchists is not on a personal level ie "I know that guy, he is OK, lets see if we can do something together". KKE and PAME have set their framework on what they believe it is to be done for example on the syndicalist movement. If anarchists agree with it, and with the ways PAME is willing to achieve them, then there is a space of collaboration. If not, the paths will not come to a connection. And of course that goes the other way too.



My contention is that outside concrete struggles, there could be contacts between anarchists and groups/individuals in KKE. Both political groups should realize that the current situation is not viable and that it represents all sorts of dangers - for KKE, a fall into open reformism, for anarchists, hopeless minority action from without the broader class struggle.
Well, KKE is on the process on one of the most radical turns in its history even without the help of the anarchists, whose presence I dont see how could it become a mound to reformism.





I don't think this is a fair assessment. See, it is far too easy to write off any anarchist that does not oppose violent direct action as hopeless, and frankly, it is indicative of the gravity of the situation you face, and a part of it is the attitude fostered by the KKE leadership.

Wait. There are things that KKE agrees with, some that doesnt but not enough as to come to a clash about them, and things that KKE is strongly against. Arsons and acts of personal armed violence are a part of the third part. The communists, as far as I know at least, was always condemning that kind of actions and even worse the way of thinking behind them. So, in order for this connection you describe to find a common stance for both parts on many cases, one of which is this on. KKE is not willing to accept that kind of thinking. If some anarchists separate their stance with these kind of actions, that would be a step. But until then, the only ones I have seen doing it, are a post-modern group (Antiauthoritarian Movement-AK) who denounce the class war and the existance of working class itself. So I dont think that would work.:lol:




I'd be surprised if you didn't.
Are you aware of some of the reaction coming from the anarchist millieu?
Yeah. None.

[Sasha]

zGpB7I5AcaY

[Sasha]

Greek squat solidarity from London: They are unable to beat what they cannot understand… (http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/2013/01/21/greek-squat-solidarity-from-london-they-are-unable-to-beat-what-they-cannot-understand%e2%80%a6/)

Monday, January 21, 2013
On 20 December 2012 police evicted Villa Amalias squat in central Athens under the groundless pretext of some alleged anonymous complaints. 8 people were arrested with felony and misdemeanour charges, triggering an enduring massive wave of solidarity; one of the biggest anarchist demonstrations took place in Athens, gathering more than 12.000 people who showed their support and solidarity to the squats and squatters and to all liberated places all over the world. This state-driven eviction took place after 23 years of the squat’s existence. Villa Amalias is situated in an area where the neo-Nazis and cops are setting up pogroms and spread the terror of racism. The Municipality of Athens is also preparing to ‘’upgrade’’ the area and Villa Amalias obviously irritates them all, as its presence is an impediment to their spiteful plans. On 9 January 2013 comrades successfully re-squatted the building despite it being heavily guarded by armed police. However, a re-eviction by police special forces followed a few moments later and 93 comrades were arrested because they barricaded themselves inside the squat and defended a self-organised free space. Throughout all these years Villa Amalias has become a living example of self-organization, vigorous expression and strong resistance. At times, it has initiated and hosted live concerts, open discussions, theatre plays, film screenings, collective kitchen, café, library, and it has provided housing to many comrades. The anti-commercial culture that opposes the culture of sale and profit, power and property has found its place. Villa Amalias is an integral part of social class struggle, fighting against authority, fighting for freedom.
Furthermore Skaramagka squat in Athens was raided on the same day as Villa’s re-eviction. Skaramagka was opened more than 3 years ago and it has since been an active anti-authoritarian political and cultural centre. Inside the squat’s premises, numerous political events have taken place, self-education groups have been formed and lessons of Greek language for immigrants have been offered. Moreover, there have been screenings, reading rooms, woodwork rooms, computer rooms, dance and martial arts rooms, sewing workshops, climbing tracks spaces and many more. The police are putting into action a plan to evict about 40 buildings that have been occupied by various groups across the country. In this context, after the eviction of the squats Villa Amalias and Skaramagka, the state continued its orchestrated attack by raiding the oldest anarchist squat in Athens, Lelas Karagianni, on the morning of 15 January 2013. 17 People were detained, but quickly released without charges. Hundreds of comrades immediately gathered outside the building leading to its re-occupation in the early afternoon of the same day.
The squats are not just four walls standing. Squats are the implementation of resistance against state’s oppression, fascist’s schemes, bosses’ exploitation, privatisation, capitalism, discrimination, poverty and despair. Squats are highlighting solidarity, self-organisation, companionship, liberty and dignity. In times when severe poverty and exploitation are legitimate and legal, layoffs, reductions in wages and pensions, workers ‘accidents’, concentration camps, repression and social cannibalism are the daily routine; squats remain consciously “outbreaks of lawlessness”. We all are “outbreaks of lawlessness” in a world where capitalism is only spreading fear. Squats are the future where there’s no place for bosses, armies, property, commodities, prosecutors and cops; a future of freedom and equality, self-organization and common ownership, solidarity and mutual aid, creativity and companionship, dignity and life. The attack against the squats is only a part of the general attack against the oppressed of this world. In the UK the law was changed last year to allow police to arrest people who have squatted abandoned residential properties. Plans for even stricter legislation against every liberated place that still survives in the UK are being discussed at the moment.
Villa will stay. We’ll all stay to make their worst nightmares come true.
HANDS OFF VILLA AMALIAS, SKARAMAGKA AND LELAS KARAGIANNI SQUATS
SOLIDARITY WITH ALL SQUATS AND SOCIAL STRUGGLES
AGAINST THE HURRICANE OF REPRESSION; LET’S PIT THE STORM OF SOLIDARITY!
London Anarchists in Solidarity
On Saturday 19/01/2012, approximately 200 people gathered outside Greek embassy in London, in solidarity with the greek antifascist struggle. 10 pathetic fascists showed up under the protection of their cop allies and were booed accordingly. During the protest a banner was raised in solidarity with the squats. A number of comrades tried to approach the embassy with the banner, but were shoved back by the coppers, who came extremely heavy-handed and then formed a line in front of the entrance.
http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/LDNsolidarity.1-500x375.jpg (http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/LDNsolidarity.1.jpg)
http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/LDNsolidarity.2-500x375.jpg (http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/LDNsolidarity.2.jpg)
:ninja:

[Sasha]

Berlin-Spontanous demonstration in Solidarity with the squats in Athens Wednesday, January 23, 2013 On the 17th of january a spontanous demonstration in solidarity with the squats in athens took place in the streets of Berlin Kreuzberg.

At 8 pm around 50 people gathered to show their solidarity with Villa Amalias, Skaramanga and Lelas Karagianis, walking through the main street of Kreuzberg. The demonstration was not registered and most of the comrades were masked. Slogans were spraypainted, an ATM got destroyed, fireworks went off and some stuff was pulled on the street. The demonstrators were shouting „From Berlin to Greece: Fight the police!“ and „Cops, Pigs, Murderers“ (in greek). A civil car of the police showed up and got chased off with stones.

The demonstration splitted up at Oranienplatz and slowly some cars of the riot-police showed up, but couldnt catch anybody.

Even though the demonstration could have been bigger, we were loud, uncontrolled and angry. With this small action we send comradly saluts to the fighting people in greece.

Solidarity doesnt know any borders! We will do it again and again!”

:ninja:

[Sasha]

some stuff that popped up today on dutch indymedia... a sponti anarchist soli-demo happend and i didnt even know it was going to, I really must be getting old :(


Today around 19:30, shopping night, we made a demo in the Kalverstraat, a shopping street in Amsterdam centre. We were around 20 people with banners and flags, we screamed slogans and handed out leaflets and in the end we set of some fireworks. For 20 minutes we disturbed the normality of the consumption-society. Read the flyer below.
"Solidarity with anarchist spaces!
In the past months the Greek state raided several squats, because they can not bare any longer the resistance that is being organised from these building.
From the squats actions happen against the rising neo-nazi's, crisiscapitalism and the huge repression by the state. In this squats actions and structures are being build for a free, solidarious world.
The european crisis hits exactly the people with less money, and as soon as they resist the state hits back. In this case the people don't let it happen without hitting back, they take to the streets and resquat the building.
Thats why we are here on the street now, to let our solidarity be heard, our solidarity with the threatened anarchist spaces and everybody who isi rising up against the fascists, the capitalism and the authorities, worldwide.
Even in their wildest dreams they cannot take this buildings from us- they are and stay ours!"
https://www.indymedia.nl/indyfiles/imagecache/cropstrip/raw/kalv%201-1.jpeg
https://www.indymedia.nl/indyfiles/imagecache/cropstrip/raw/kalv%201s.jpg
http://fightnow.noblogs.org
We call for a worldwide campaign of direct actions in solidarity with liberated spaces from the 2nd to the 12th of February 2013.
But we don’t want to stop after a couple of actions, because this is much more than just a reaction to repression. This is a call out to all anarchists and anti-authoritarians to fight now across the world.
https://www.indymedia.nl/indyfiles/imagefield_thumbs/raw/english.jpg?1359066571
https://www.indymedia.nl/indyfiles/imagecache/cropstrip/raw/76787-1024x640.jpg
Even though the recent onslaught of the Greek State against the anarchist/anti-authoritarian spectrum was the initial spark for writing this call, several examples around the globe show us that the police and municipal authorities along with giant corporations are cooperating excellently with each other, attacking solidarian structures and pacifying societies at a transnational level. During the past few weeks and months, in parts of the world, where people suffer from the systematic impoverishment and extended gentrification plans, it increasingly came to State/Capital’s attacks on radical movements, including repression against concrete forms of resistance such as land occupations, autonomous projects, company headquarters’ occupations, or strike actions. It thus deems important that we also connect our struggles worldwide, and fight back in the here and now. Action in response to attacks on squatted spaces at your location could be the spark for you. Take action on the streets and let your imagination run wild to spread the message of active resistance.
Our comrades are still imprisoned across the world. Many of our self-organized spaces are being raided or evicted, our infrastructure is under siege, and our counter-information media are censored or hindered. Whenever we express our ideas in public, uniformed robocops are lurking everywhere. Surveillance machinery follows every single move we make, while the State counts on the support of an armed fascist mob… But our existential fight is more than defence of solid spaces.
So, it’s time we say enough with permanent defeatism. Social war is waged independently from evictions or detentions. There are no borders in our hearts. For each project destroyed, two new ones should arise across the globe. For each imprisoned comrade, our actions should do the talking.
Wake up, jump in, get wild – War on the rulers’ war!
FOR A BLACK FEBRUARY

solidarity aktion with the greek squats AMSTERDOOM
https://www.indymedia.nl/indyfiles/imagecache/cropstrip/raw/foto_0.JPG
https://www.indymedia.nl/indyfiles/imagecache/cropstrip/raw/foto%202_0.JPG
this is small act of solidarity with our greek comrades
the state attack against villa amalias , radio 98fm, skaramagka ,lelas karagianni and the delta squat [tessalonikia]aren,t acidents. this spaces where used as tools against state and fascist terror . the state send paramilitary forces to the center of athens to do the dirty work... outbreaks of lawlessness are the politicians , banks, police stations , court rooms, detencion centers [lagers] and television.
Squats are not just 4 walls standing. Squats are the implementation of resistance against state oppression, fascist schemes , bosses explotation, privatisation, capitalism, discrimination, poverty. squats are highlighting solidarity , self organization, companionship,liberty and dignity . IN WORLD WHERE CAPITALISM IS ONLY SPREADING FEAR FIGHT BACK
HANDS OFF VILLA AMALIAS SKARAMAGKA LELAS KARAGIANNI
SOLIDARITY WITH ALL SQUATS AND SOCIAL STRUGLES
TOTAL SOLIDARITY
TOTAL COMPLICITY
LONG LIVE ANARCHY 10 100 1000 SQUATS

[Sasha]

Heraklion, Crete: approximately 1,000 march in solidarity with squats under attack across Greece (http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/2013/01/26/heraklion-crete-approximately-1000-march-in-solidarity-with-squats-under-attack-across-greece/)

Saturday, January 26, 2013
http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/23-500x335.jpg (http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/23.jpg)
On January 26, a demonstration in solidarity with squats under attack across Greece saw approximately 1,000 anarchists gather and march through the streets of Heraklion, in what might very possibly be the largest anarchist demonstration in the history of the city (fourth largest in the country, with a population just under 200k). Along with the slogans in solidarity with the squats under attack, such as Villa Amalias and Skaramanga, the demonstrators also shouted slogans referring to the recent incident involving DIAS police and their murderous intent (http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/2013/01/26/heraklion-crete-dias-police-in-attack-with-murderous-intention-send-two-teenagers-to-intensive-care/). One of the slogans translates as “at the road-checks, at the road-checks, they’re killing kids – the scum of DIAS, the hounds of the state”.




Patras: amateur footballers carry squat solidarity banners in football match (http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/2013/01/27/patras-amateur-footballers-carry-squat-solidarity-banners-in-football-match/)

Sunday, January 27, 2013
In the city of Patras, a football game between amateur football clubs saw footballers from both sides carry banners in solidarity with the squats under attack in recent days. One club is APO, the city’s Autonomous Football Club – an anarchist collective. They entered the game with a banner reading “state and parastate, hands off occupations. Solidarity to self-organised spaces. Not a single step back”.
The second club, Aris from the local town of Kato Ahaia, carried a banner reading “Consciously centres of anomie, in a world of permanent injustice”.
http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/linatsa_apo-500x330.jpg (http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/linatsa_apo.jpg)
http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/linatsa_aris_k_axagias-500x330.jpg (http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/linatsa_aris_k_axagias.jpg)
http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/apo_aris_k_axaias-500x330.jpg (http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/apo_aris_k_axaias.jpg)


..

[Sasha]

4oSgLlI5p74


Perhaps the day is approaching (http://blog.occupiedlondon.org/2013/02/05/perhaps-the-day-is-approaching/)

Tuesday, February 5, 2013
via candiaalternativa (https://www.youtube.com/user/CandiaAlternativa?feature=watch)
Solidarity with squats, stekia (hangouts),
self-organized/self-managed spaces and those who struggle…
………………………………………………………….
Perhaps the day is approaching
when flags will be waving to the rhythm of the wind
when the wind will whistle to the liberation’s beat.
Perhaps the day is approaching
when we’ll smell the ashes of all the peoples’ prison cells.
And as soon as time reads zero, it will be the time for the raving mad
those who moved against logic, against what smiling killers used to call moral.
And the dead will come (those who were never gone)
to show us the way, to shout at us
those who were human, drawing a circle around the upper-case A…
poem from the collection ‘Antinous — You whispered rebellion to me,
and I heard freedom’ (March 2012)
*
(((●))) Candia :: Alternativa – http://candiaalternativa.info
Independent alternative space of counter-information in Crete, Greece
February 2013
translated by Contra Info in the context of the campaign for a Black February

[ellipsis]

Members of Homes not Jails SF or at least squatters in San Francisco posted this a while ago, don't know why it took me so long to post here.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/602680_544276565584769_1211012960_n.jpg

[Sasha]

-7zd7KkVcMc