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This post is part of our special coverage Europe in Crisis.
On Saturday September 1, 2012, an anti-racism demonstration took place in central Athens, Greece, with Monastiraki Square as the starting point.
Hundreds of demonstrators, mainly anarchists, gathered to protest against recent events such as violent, even lethal, attacks against immigrants [el] by members of extremist right-wing group Golden Dawn, the pillory of HIV-positive prostitutes by police, and the government stop-and-search campaign ‘Xenios Zeus’ [mainly targeting people of colour for their identification papers].
Demonstrators gathered in Monastiraki. Photo by author.
Demonstrators advanced to Omonoia Square via Athinas Street and ended up in Monastiraki again. Riot police prevented them from continuing through Panepistimiou Street [which leads to the Greek Parliament], however no further incidents took place, except some minor verbal disputes between some demonstrators and police officers.
Demonstrators in Omonoia Square. Photo by author.
Demonstrators’ banner reads: “Let's smash the fascists and police pogroms. May locals and refugees fight together”. Photo by author.
Demonstrators blocked at Panepistimiou Street. Photo by author.
Lately several demonstrations have taken place, organized by different collectives with different beliefs [el]. In the following video, you can see some snapshots from anti-racism protests in August 24 in Athens, mainly supported by refugees:
Most people in Greece, no matter what their politics, are no longer remaining indifferent to racism. Fascism is now institutionalized in Greece, as a neo-nazist party has been elected to parliament.
Old man strongly protests. Photo by author.
Greek society is gradually realizing that racism is a threat and must be confronted.
This post is part of our special coverage Europe in Crisis.
