The anarchist response to the price hike in Greece

[nvm]

While prices in Greece are going up to 45% up on many basic products, the government is announcing measures against this rise which are completely ineffective. So the anarchists in Athens acted making their own measures , which are a lot more.. effective.
A group of 30 anarchists invaded a large supermarket , stole a lot of basic products and distributed them to the pedestrians and at the same time gave pamphlets to the people about how to combat the price hike.
Although I am not an anarchist i find this a wonderful example of direct action.
They have my respect!

[Red October]

got a link for this?

[nvm]

here but its in Greek :(

http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=873425

[An archist]

Could anyone (Fuserg?) make a translation of this? Also, maybe a short overview of what locals and other anarchists think of this?

EDIT: Class!

[nvm]

Other anarchists in Greece think that this was one of the best actions by anarchists in Greece in the last 2-3 years.
The population (at least those suffering from the prices had a good response to this).
Some media portrayed them badly as usual and one reporter said" they probably gave the food to the pedestrians and the locals out of fear of arrest, and I cant accept that those who burn and break stuff(reffering to the anarchists), can do something Robin Hood style".
Some media though did not criticize them as they usually do but this action was well received even by some bourgeois media like skai .
As about the article on indymedia it says what i said in my original post with some more details.

[BIG BROTHER]

woa! talk about practical meassurers. My respect for those guys. I just hope they don't get caught, or that the markets stop stocking food out of fear of it being stolen.

[Devrim]

It is a stunt. A few politicals stealing some food offers no answers for the working class.

The question should not be how do anarchists (or communists, or socialists) respond, but how can the working class respond.

Devrim

[Plagueround]

It is a stunt. A few politicals stealing some food offers no answers for the working class.

The question should not be how do anarchists (or communists, or socialists) respond, but how can the working class respond.

Devrim

Since I've visited this site the two most common complaints I see are:
1. "Revlefters aren't active enough, you should be more like real activists."
2. "These activists aren't doing things right, that was just attention grabbing...here's a 3 page essay on what they should have done..."

Whether or not it was a long term solution, does it not show some sort of attempt at bringing attention to the situation? If, no matter how impossible or unlikely some may find it, even one person looks at what these people did, finds out anarchists were behind it, and decides to look into the philosophy of the leftist movement, haven't they more than just pull a stunt?

Then again, I suppose a fascist could steal me some food and I wouldn't listen to them... ;)

[Ghaile]

Working within capitalism is never a good long-term solution for economic justice, it's like stealing from your boss and then thinking your not exploited, because to steal enough to make full-wage compensation you'd put the company out of business.

Social programs etc are good for recruitment etc, but they are not a permanent solution for capitalism and for revolution.

[Devrim]

2."These activists aren't doing things right, that was just attention grabbing...here's a 3 page essay on what they should have done..."

I think that two lines hardly qualifies as a three page essay.


If, no matter how impossible or unlikely some may find it, even one person looks at what these people did, finds out anarchists were behind it, and decides to look into the philosophy of the leftist movement, haven't they more than just pull a stunt?

Yes, it could well happen. What would it mean though, more anarchists to do more stunts?


Whether or not it was a long term solution, does it not show some sort of attempt at bringing attention to the situation?

I think that people realise when basic food costs go up 45% when they do their shopping without the need for anarchists to pull stunts.

I think part of it shows the substitutionism, which is common in many forms of anarchism.

Obviously, the best way for the working class to resist attacks like this is to launch massive strikes. It is much easier said that done though, and events are easy.

Devrim

[Colonello Buendia]

though this move is good, I think Devrim is right, massive food strikes and protests should be the preferable strategy not a bunch of guys stealing food and distributing it. this is a small action which will not be significant, if we all mobilise and start demonstrating then we're getting somewhere

[dirtycommiebastard]

I think everyone is taking the extreme of these events.

On one hand, yes, I support these actions because, although they are small and not necessarily extremely productive, they are still symbolic.

On the other hand, Devrim is correct, and I do not think these kinds of acts are revolutionary at all. The workers in Greece are very militant and I'm sure there are already talks over what course of action to take because of the rising prices of commodities.

Anarchists seem to love to bask in the 'glory' of these kinds of things.

[F9]

wow how i missed this too?:confused:
anyway as i see the problem in greece,people are hungry,they dont have to eat,older people get some payment that they cant live for a week,the situation is horrible.So even this small act was good,ok it isnt the best you can do,i agree that a massive peopple strike would be MUCH better,but those kids i think did it sumbolicaly by taking away the food for not payment and giving it to poor people who dont have to eat,and they starve,they show what is the right thing to do!you are hungry?you just need to go and get what you need without need worrying because you dont have to pay.
I see a massive strike upcoming,the products are getting expensier,and people dont "afford" to eat and live properly.They will touch the "bottom" until they raise up and fight for what they deserve.The bottom isnt far away!

Fuserg9:star:

[nvm]

I agree with Fuserg.
It was just a symbolic action .
And the massive movement is not far away.
The anarchists just showed the way for the people who cannot afford to wait for the massive movement and they are starving NOW.

[Nevermore]

well the situation here in greece reminds me of the england on robin's hood years.the people here works all the day and their salaries is getting lower,the pensions can only cover the basic needs of the old people,the prices are increasing everyday the only good thing is that people are responding to stikes,lockouts