Battle for the squats in Athens

[Sasha]

[ Battle for the squats in Athens





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 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 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:
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/...ma_patra_1978/

http://manitaritoubounou.wordpress.c...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/...ion-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://blog.occupiedlondon.org/2013/...ism-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!

[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!

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;

[Sasha]

Video tại vimeo.com - Đăng tại www.KyXaoViet.Com

[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?

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

[Sasha]

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

+ YouTube Video

Video from the squat solidarity demo in Athens (Jan 12) by the Diakoptes (switches) collective Monday, January 14, 2013
Diakoptes [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-fi...thens-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!

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!

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


The upper banner reads: ‘FASCISM SHALL NOT PASS. NO PASARAN!’ and the other reads: ‘24 YEARS LK37 SQUAT’

On January 15th, at about 12.00pm, cops raided Greece’s oldest anarchist squat, Lelas Karagianni 37. 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 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!

[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/...n-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/...n-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

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