Authored by: Admin on Monday, December 08 2008 @ 08:40 PM UTC

Hey Infoshop New moderators. This is our feature for the Greek situation. Add links to this feature and don't approve new stories for the wire about Greece, since it is maxed out today. People are welcome to post updates in the comments to this feature.

Chuck

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Authored by: communitycntrl on Monday, December 08 2008 @ 09:16 PM UTC

so tomorrow, tuesday, 12/9 is A.G.'s funeral in athens.

and wednesday a general strike is been called. i've read things are expected to get crazier during the strike.

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Authored by: epoliticus on Tuesday, December 09 2008 @ 12:14 AM UTC

Comrades:
There was a definite escalation on Mon. It is noteworthy, but has not been reported in the English-language media, that the Police Directorate on the island of Rhodes was seized and for more than two hours. This was reported in the mainstream, centre-left newsdaily 'Eleftherotypia'.
epoliticus

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Authored by: CaseyFord on Tuesday, December 09 2008 @ 12:53 AM UTC

was the Directorate abandoned after two hours or were the occupiers forced out?

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Authored by: kontrapunkt on Tuesday, December 09 2008 @ 07:26 AM UTC

Good photogallery at the bottom of the page (50 pics)

- news.sky.com

Dozens of photos here too (look at the botoom of the page again)

- nodo50.org

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Authored by: kontrapunkt on Tuesday, December 09 2008 @ 10:09 AM UTC

there's something wrong with first link, it should be like this:
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/London-Greek-Embassy-Stormed-By-Protesters/Article/200812215174658?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_3&lid=ARTICLE_15174658_London_Greek_Embassy_Stormed_By_Protesters

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Authored by: epoliticus on Tuesday, December 09 2008 @ 07:26 AM UTC

I'm sorry, but I do not know if the occupiers vacated voluntarily or were evicted. My information from the islands and smaller cities is only indirect, coming mainly from mainstream media. Today's edition of 'Eleftherotypia' reports that there are roadblocks around other police stations on Rhodes. These events are no longer confined to participation by the anarchist movement. Thousands of schoolchildren and others have joined in anger.

In Patras: A group of antiauthoritarians seized a TV station called "Super B". I don't know if they are broadcasting.

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Authored by: epoliticus on Tuesday, December 09 2008 @ 08:15 AM UTC

Also, there is lots of rubbish in circulation in the Greek media about the situation, e.g., stupid claims that "anarchists are being employed as mercenaries" to "destabilize Greece." Don't believe the nonsense in the mass media. Be wary of the Greek daily "Kathemerini" which has an English-language edition: it is an institution of the Greek ruling class.

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Authored by: awed on Tuesday, December 09 2008 @ 09:16 AM UTC

in Paris, December 9th:

Paris - Protesters entered part of the Greek consulate in Paris on Tuesday after three days of rioting in Greece triggered by the shooting of a teenager by police, an embassy spokesperson said on Tuesday.

(from http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=24&art_id=nw20081209142629303C599561)

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Authored by: not24601 on Tuesday, December 09 2008 @ 01:21 PM UTC

Quote from libcom forums:

Right now there are fights both in Athens and Thessaloniki.

In thessaloniki thousands of protestors attacked the ministry of north greece and thrace. The city centre is closed to all traffic and the streets taken over since 11am. Small fights between people and riot-cops... big groups of 30 civil police each are walking through the centre as well.

In athens there are fights in a few spots of Athens and especially in the parliament and around the polytechnic school.

THE UNBELIEVABLE IS THAT THE RIOT COPS APPEARED AT THE FUNERAL OF ALEXIS!

Thousands of people were at the cemetary of Faliro silent in front of the dead 15 year old student.

Suddenly squads of riot police appeared in the area around the cemetary, some young people verbally attacked them and then the riot cops attacked and arrived at the gates of the cemetary using teargas and the usual chemicals!!!

The funeral is on live broadcast on some TV channelsm, even from helicopter coverage.

Thousands (more than 5000 thousand) are encircled in the cemetary.

The last half an hour peope from the cemetary attempt to break the siege.

SPREAD THE NEWS! WE WRITE FROM INSIDE OCCUPATIONS AND BECAUSE OF THE FIGHTS WE DO NOT HAVE MUCH TIME TO SEND THE NEWS EVERYWHERE.

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Authored by: Admin on Tuesday, December 09 2008 @ 02:39 PM UTC

Does anybody want to find somebody who can translate Greek to English so Infoshop News can feature more updates from anarchists instead of the mainstream media?

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Authored by: epoliticus on Tuesday, December 09 2008 @ 03:15 PM UTC

I can do translations.
epoliticus@gmail.com

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Authored by: epoliticus on Tuesday, December 09 2008 @ 04:44 PM UTC

The two largest Greek unions, which are business unions, had planned a strike for Wed. (10 Dec. 2008). Predictably, they called off the demonstration and protest march but prevaricated and insisted that the strike itself shall be held. The generalized student movement, consisting of the movement in both universities and schools, is the basis of the rebellion. It is supported by other sections of society. Thus far, the workers as a whole -- regardless of their business union leadership -- has not poured into the streets en masse.

For this reason, tomorrow will provide a key test of the direction of the movement. If the workers come out in support of the students, the situation will be radically different. The conservative government has already anticipated this possibility and has tried to insert a wedge between the students and the workers. The PM gave a speech asserting that the cold-blooded murder of the weekend should not be confused with the issues of the workers. We shall see on Wed.

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Authored by: awed on Tuesday, December 09 2008 @ 04:55 PM UTC

libcom.org reports that shots ring out in suburb of Athens, and has a photograph of a riot policeman pointing a gun:

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Authored by: 052590 on Wednesday, December 10 2008 @ 12:46 AM UTC

There are also reports that fascists groups are working jointly with police forces: http://documentingfailure.blogspot.com/2008/12/nazi-groups-working-with-greek-riot.html

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Authored by: epoliticus on Wednesday, December 10 2008 @ 12:43 AM UTC

The British capitalists catch the scent of a political problem that they have. Poor buggers.
http://tinyurl.com/5e5g34

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Authored by: communitycntrl on Wednesday, December 10 2008 @ 02:36 PM UTC

soccer fans with huge "no justice, no peace" banner at soccer match:
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Police-shooting-sparks-riots-Greece-Greece-Panathinaikos-riots/ss/events/wl/120708greeceriots/im:/081209/483/008cd830a45e4ef6a61d9b7be98d1823/

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Authored by: communitycntrl on Thursday, December 11 2008 @ 03:29 AM UTC

GREEK ANARCHISTS NEED TO BEGIN TO SEIZE THE MEDIA, RIGHT NOW, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE! THEY MUST BROADCAST THEIR SIDE OF THINGS, DENOUNCE THE LIES IN THE CORPORATE MEDIA REPORTS, AND RALLY PEOPLE TO SUPPORT THEIR SIDE AGAINST THE FASCISTS AND POLICE WHO WORK TOGETHER! TAKE OVER RADIO STATIONS! TAKE OVER TV STATIONS! BLOCKADE AND ATTACK THE CONSERVATIVE NEWSPAPERS!

You have to seize the media to spread the revolt!

And after that, then you begin to seize space, to draw clear lines and create autonomous zones where police can

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Authored by: communitycntrl on Thursday, December 11 2008 @ 03:43 AM UTC

oh, and after that, you begin to try and break imprisoned comrades out of jail. the greeks are already calling on them all to be released without charge, and that should continue, so that when the jails are attacked people will understand that they are trying to get their comrades out, who were unjustly arrested by the fascist state during the riots.

but that is still a good deal away from the current context in greece. the struggle is not there yet.

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Authored by: communitycntrl on Thursday, December 11 2008 @ 10:05 AM UTC

stockholm demo in solidarity:
"A protest action outside of the greek embassy in Stockholm was held today, wednesday, at the same time as a general strike went into action in Greece. 50 exile greeks, greek exchange students, anarchists and other activists let the shouts of "cops, pigs, murderers!" and other greek chants echo in the street, showing their support for the righteous protests and strikes against the police and neoliberal government policies.

Fliers produced by greek exchange students were handed out saying: "We resist and confront all kinds of authoritarian suppression by showing solidarity and supporting demonstrations in Greece and elsewhere.""

photos: http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=939262

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Authored by: trudge on Thursday, December 11 2008 @ 11:14 PM UTC

The Center For Strategic Anarchy blog is being continually updated with news, photos, video, and accounts of the Greek riots. http://anarchiststrategy.blogspot.com

Check it early, check it often.

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Authored by: Otis on Friday, December 12 2008 @ 05:15 PM UTC

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Authored by: MD on Friday, December 12 2008 @ 09:41 PM UTC

I like this image better. Its a little girl cutting class to go and fight with the cops. So cool.

---
Omnia sunt Communia!

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Authored by: Otis on Saturday, December 13 2008 @ 12:57 AM UTC

Maybe that was her in the animation too ;-P

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Authored by: epoliticus on Saturday, December 13 2008 @ 06:03 PM UTC

Comrades:
The blog "Direct Action News from Greece" has been updated with an account of the rebellion since the murder of Alexandros.

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Authored by: epoliticus on Saturday, December 13 2008 @ 09:08 PM UTC

Alert:
Confirmation is required that Greek army units are (or were) on patrol in the streets on Rhodes and Chios. Anyone that has information that can verify this report please make a comment in this thread.
Paidia:
Einai vevomeni h pliroforia?

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Authored by: rebelmouse on Sunday, December 14 2008 @ 12:43 PM UTC

I found at greeks indymedia, statement of friend of Alex:
http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=en&article_id=944655

Statement of Nikos R., a friend of Alexandros
by Exorgismenos 07:33am, Sunday December 14 2008
(Modified 01:16pm, Sunday December 14 2008)

Translation of the statement of Nikos R., which describes what happened on the night of December 6 and how the police shot his friend Alexandros Grigoropoulos

I go to the first year of high school at Psychiko Public High School. I knew Alexandros, or Gregory (the pet name we used for him, from his last name) since 4th grade in elementary school. We used to go to the same school. Until the first year of middle school we didn't keep close company. From the first year of middle school however, until yesterday when they killed him, we were close friends.

Yesterday 12-6-2008 were you with Alexandros?

Yesterday around 5:50 p.m. I went with a friend from next door to Larisis Station. Before I went there, however, I had spoken with Alexandros. He told me that he was going to go to a polo match... I told him to call me when the match was over so we could meet at Mesolongi Street, in Exarcheia. He was going to go to the match with his friend Nikos F. and P. Ch. At regular intervals we used to meet there. We planned to go to Faros Psychikou, to find our friends from our old schools and go do something together because yesterday I celebrated my name day.

In the end, Alexandros called you when the match ended. Where was he going to go?

Yes, he called me and told me to start out and he would set out as well from the athletic field... From what I see on my cell phone the call from Alexandros happened at 7:10 p.m.

When did you meet with Alexandros on Mesolongi Street in Exarcheia?

I don't remember exactly. About 45 minutes before the incident. From my friend's house I went by foot. I went up Ipeirou (if I am not mistaken), then right to the Museum, left up on Stournari up to the square on the right, and 10 meters afterwards is Mesolongi. I waited for him 3 to 4 minutes.

When he came what did you do?

When he came we went to a convenience store 10 meters further up and we bought something to eat and two soft drinks... We went back again to the sidewalk on Mesologgiou Streeet to eat and talk.

Where exactly did you sit?

We sat there by the entrance of an apartment building at the intersection of Mesolongi and Tzavella, on the left side where we were watching Zoodochou Pigis Street. There they have three railings on the walkway where you can sit. We sat there. (At this point they show the witness a printed map of the area.) We ate the things we had bought and suddenly, as we were talking, we heard a somewhat loud bang. Near enough to us that we could hear it, but far enough away that we couldn't figured out what had happened. We didn't pay any attention...

Did you see light accompany the bang that you described to me?

No, because from the direction where we heard the bang, we didn't have visual contact, because there was a wall in front of us... In order to see what happens on Navarinou Street you have to leave down the middle of the walkway of Tzavella Street.

After a minute and a half we heard about 4 or 5 passers by "the cops are coming, something happened...". So out of curiosity, Alexandros and I went to the middle of Tzavella Street to see what had happened. A distance of 2 to 3 meters away... When we went out into the middle of the walkway we saw from a distance of 15 to 20 meters two police officers. They were right at the intersection of Zoodochou Pigis and Tzavella. One was taller than the other. Next they stopped at the intersection of the two streets... In front of us there was no one else. Alexandros was in front of me and I was behind and to the right of them. When the police stopped at Zoodochou Pigis and Tzavella, they had their hands, left or right I don't remember, on their weapons which were in their holsters which hang from the belt. Someone from behind me tossed an empty plastic bottle and naturally it did not reach the police. I forgot to tell you that when I saw the police, they started to curse at me and Alexandros, saying "We will f... the Virgin Mary, come here and I'll show you who is the tough guy" and things like that. The guys behind us were yelling "get back" and "go to hell..." at the police...

When someone threw the plastic bottle, the police, both of them if I am not mistaken, took their weapons out of their holsters, aimed in front of them, that is towards the place where I, Alexandros and the other person were, and three continuous shots were heard. I forgot to tell you that I am sure that one of the two police officers held his weapon with both hands. I saw then - and I am absolutely sure - that the police weren't shooting either towards the sky or towards the ground. They aimed towards our location and fired!

Alexandros fell down, if I am not mistaken on the first or second gunshot, surely anyways before the third... Afterwards, I didn't know what was going on. People were yelling and some people lifted up Alexandros' shirt. I saw that he had a hole in the middle of the chest and a little towards the heart. There was blood from the wound...

Let me tell you also that the police who fired, when they saw Alexandros fall, they left. I don't remember which direction... Then the ambulance came and took Alexandros, dead. I say this because he didn't have a pulse and there was blood coming from his mouth...

What light was there in the place where you described the incident?

Even though night had fallen, there was light from the street lamps on the poles which shines and also from the shops... Only one lamp wasn't working, to the left of Alexandros...

Do you want to tell us something else from everything you know?

The only thing I want to tell you is that they didn't kill Alexandros. They murdered him in cold blood...

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Authored by: Al Ligator on Sunday, December 14 2008 @ 01:52 PM UTC

Well, there was a call put out for December 20th to be an international day of solidarity with Greece (and basically against the shit of our daily lives), and I think this is a *perfect* oppurtunity for every city - large and small - to revolt in any way possible - large or small - and to push back together.
I strongly would urge anyone and everyone to organize something exciting for this day, because if stuff happened everywhere (especially if it's ultra-exciting), then no one anywhere could ignore the resistance to state and capital anymore.
And how exciting would it feel to know that everywhere around the world, others are pushing back at the same time?
And then - how could we dare let it end?
Anyone who was hyping up resistance to the RNC & DNC should take note of how much more great of an oppurtunity this is.
9 years after Seattle, and the battle will be everywhere.

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Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, December 15 2008 @ 12:23 AM UTC

Some Greek "anarchists" are attacking the police with lasers. These laser weapons can blind someone for the rest of their life. For the record, I do not agree with the use of lasers in a riot situation.

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/world/article.html?%91Blinding%92_laser_pens_used_as_protests_set_to_continue&in_article_id=444064&in_page_id=64

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