…and on the third day, they rioted again…

“There are a lot of disoriented young people who feel they don’t have much to expect from the future and are very disconnected,” said Professor Thanos Dokos, an analyst at a Greek thinktank. “These feelings have been exacerbated by the corruption and economic climate and are being used as ammunition by anarchist groups today.” ~ Greece riots enter third day, Policeman charged with murdering teenager whose death sparked violent protests across country, Helena Smith in Athens, Mark Tran and agencies, guardian.co.uk, Monday December 8 2008

Direct Action News from Greece : This blog is an attempt to cover, publicise and translate any reported direct action news from Greece (and southern Cyprus) apart from the mass media mediation…

In Greece, in response to the police murder of teenager Andreas Grigoropoulos, riots and uprisings kicked off on Saturday evening, beginning in Athens and soon spreading across the country and to all major cities. These continued on Sunday (December 7), and appear to be continuing on Monday (December 8).

Over the three decades since the end of the US-supported military dictatorship (1974), while Greek police have killed numerous individuals in the course of various social and industrial struggles, the shooting to death of Andreas is the first teenage casualty of such violence since 1985 (Michalis Kaltezas). Then as now, there has been a violent reaction.

What makes the recent response to the murder more significant is that it takes place in the context of a serious downturn in the Greek economy, broader economic and social discontent, and just days prior to the commencement of a general strike (scheduled well prior to Andreas’ murder and directed against pension restrictions and neoliberal economic policies). Thus while young people, especially students, have been taking to the streets in their thousands, University and high school teaching staff expected to go on strike on Wednesday have halted work two days early, and it would appear possible that workers in other sectors may join them.

In terms of governmental politics, both the Socialist opposition and the Communist Party have been forced to declare their distaste for such inevitable expressions of state violence, and to organise popular demonstrations — hopefully, in their eyes, firmly under political, if not police, control. The position of the police, and that of the current, ‘conservative’ New Democracy government of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, is unlikely to have aided by the defense offered by the two policemen accused of killing Andreas: “One of them, who is accused of murder, said he fired a warning shot and that the boy was killed by a ricochet, but eyewitnesses told Greek television that the officer aimed directly”. Also according to the BBC, “The family of the boy, named as Alexandros Grigoropoulos, has hired an independent pathologist to ensure there is no cover-up” (Greece braced for further protest, December 8).

The explanation for the violence has been located as arising from economic, historical and political factors. In the realm of economy: “The shooting angered Greek youths, already resentful about a widening gap between rich and poor“. Historically speaking, hatred and resentment towards police, on the part of students in particular, is framed in terms of the role of police and military forces in sustaining the Greek dictatorship.

The law prohibiting the entry of police onto University grounds was introduced following the overthrow of the military junta in 1974, and constitutes one of the lasting legacies of the student revolt that helped end the dictatorship. On November 17, 1973, striking students at the National Technical University of Athens (also known as the Athens’ Polytechnic) barricaded themselves behind the walls of the University. The Greek government, under Georgios Papadopoulos, ordered the army in to crush the occupation, and the army, literally, sent the tanks in, declaring that — like the Mayor of Copenhagen — there would be no negotiations with anarchists. The exact number of persons murdered by the army in the subsequent attack remains disputed, but most sources claims anywhere between dozens and scores of students (and civilians who had gathered at the Polytechnic in support of the students) were killed, while hundreds more were injured and thousands arrested.

Apparently, even the young have memories.

As for politricks, Reuters recounts: “This comes at a very difficult moment for the government,” said Anthony Livanios of pollster Alpha Metrics. “If this continues, it could have a devastating effect on the government and on stability.” University professors started a three-day walkout on Monday and many school students stayed away from class in protest. “He could have been our brother. He could have been our fellow student, he could have been one of us,” said Vangelis Spiratos, 13.

“He could have been one of us” — an explosively dangerous idea.

See also : “Crazy Greek anarchists” et cetera (May 10, 2008) | Yeah. Right. (February 4, 2008) | Stylish Greek anarchists still in fashion (April 27, 2007) | Greeks students are revolting (March 12, 2007) | Crazy anarchists in Greece… crazy anarchists in Denmark… crazy anarchists everywhere! (March 11, 2007) | Anarchists 1 : Greek state 0 (February 14, 2007) | Greek police detain 60 ‘persons of interest’ (February 13, 2007) | Greek protest culture baffles people who still call themselves “journalists” (January 30, 2007) | Greek anarchists running Monkey marathon (January 25, 2007) | Greek anarchists do what Greek anarchists do be do be do… in styleee (January 18, 2007) | Greece vs. America?!? (January 14, 2007)

About @ndy

I live in Melbourne, Australia. I like anarchy. I don't like nazis. I enjoy eating pizza and drinking beer. I barrack for the greatest football team on Earth: Collingwood Magpies. The 2024 premiership's a cakewalk for the good old Collingwood.
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