Fascism in Greece and the Antifascist Fight

Greece skimminglight.net

Fascism in Greece

and the antifascist fight

27 Feb 2013 1/89

Greece > Overview skimminglight.net

Society in Decay

Polarization

Rise of Golden Dawn

How to fight fascism

Conclusions
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Greece > Society in Decay skimminglight.net

Society
in Decay

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Greece(International Decay
IMF > Society in Monetary Fund) in Greek skimminglight.net

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The only difference: The former prime
minister Papandreou has been replaced
by Samaras

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Since the beginning of the crisis in 2008,
The Greek GDP has declined by About 20%.
The crisis has been aggravated by the
Austerity measures imposed by the Troika.
This means a severe impoverishment of the
majority of the population.

http://www.statista.com/statistics/14538/gross-domestic-product-growth-rate-in-greece/

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20.000 homeless people
7 in 10 lost home in last 2 years
www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_12/12/2012_474176

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7% before crisis. 27% now.
Youth unemployment 62%
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/greece/unemployment-rate
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite2_1_01/10/2012_463880

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+37% in 2 years

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Last package: 13.5bn €
Massive privatisations
http://www.athensnews.gr/issue/13512/58161

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3 million Greeks want to13.5bn €
Last package: leave
Return toMassive privatisations
countriside
Bank savings
http://www.athensnews.gr/issue/13512/58161
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18391248
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2013/01/30/three-million-greeks-want-to-leave/

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Half of Greeks can’t pay everyday bills
250,000 meals are distributed daily
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2013/02/10/half-of-greeks-cant-pay-bills/

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Athens, Winter 2012-13
Smog caused by people burning everything they can find to heat
themselves. Oil fuel has become too expensive.

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1. http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite6_1_26/02/2013_484634
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The blanket of smog that has covered
Athens and Attica in general since the start
of the winter is steadily rising above
acceptable limits and posing a serious health
hazard in the long term, potentially leading
to serious illnesses and chronic medical
conditions. Experts are ringing the alarm
1
bells .
I Kathimerini, 26/02/13

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Athens News 28/09/12 - http://www.athensnews.gr/issue/13513/58349

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“Striking doctors and healtcare
professionals warn that immediate funding
is needed to avert collapse of primary
healthcare”
Athens News 28/09/12

Athens News 28/09/12 - http://www.athensnews.gr/issue/13513/58349

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Privatizations
The Greek government announced a wide
ranging privatization programme, spanning
rail and road transport, airports and ports,
utilities, gaming and public real estate
holdings. (minfin.gr)
The island of Pezonisi, also known as Nisi
ton Oneiron (Island of Dreams), is set to
become the first island to be leased to the
private sector for tourism development.
http://www.minfin.gr/portal/en/resource/contentObject/id/2f09efef-f916-4450-8236-de0606f1e12d
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Greece > Polarization skimminglight.net

Polarization

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The Electoral Front
Threat of chaos
Promise to renegotiate

Idea of left governement
“We don't leave €-zone”

Collapse
social
democracy
Giant leap
of fascists

Government Radical left Fascist Right Greens
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elections_in_Greece

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The Electoral Front

Neck & neck

Keeps growing
Further
collapse

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The Electoral Front

Deepening
polarization & radicalization


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Greece > Golden Dawn skimminglight.net

Rise of Golden Dawn
(Χρυσή Αυγή)

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Greece > Golden Dawn skimminglight.net

In summary...

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Greece > Golden Dawn > Fascism skimminglight.net

Authority Violence

Fascism

Extreme nationalism
Capitalism

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Greece > Golden Dawn > Fascism skimminglight.net

Fear & intimidation
Openly
Authority Violence
Dictatorship
Destroy worker's organisations
Social & cultural control

Fascism

Extreme nationalism
Racism Capitalism
Social cohesion From decay of
Denial of capitalist contradictions Last weapon by
Divert attention from real cause Acceptance of
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Greece > Golden Dawn > Style skimminglight.net

Mai 2012 – victory speech (next slide)

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Click here to see the video

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Summer 2012

Speech Michaloliakos (leader GD),
Hitler salute on GD youth summer camp1

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mizcDO1DpG0

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(Hitler salute on 1:38)

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Greece > Golden Dawn > Ideology skimminglight.net

The official party magazine...
2 covers (2007 & 2006)

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February 2013

Children, aged 6 – 10,
in the buildings of GD,
being taught the “Greek ideals”1

1. http://www.xryshaygh.com/index.php/enimerosi/view/h-chrush-augh-tou-ellhnismou-pou-erchetai.
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2013/02/27/golden-dawn-recruiting-schoolchildren/

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Greece > Golden Dawn > Violence skimminglight.net

August 23, 2012

Clash with riot police1
It is a “criminal action” to convert
facilities of the Greek Army
into “tourism centres for illegal immigrants.”

1. http://www.xryshaygh.com/index.php/enimerosi/view/sumbainei-twra-epeisodia-sthn-korintho-fwtografies

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Pireaus, September 2012

“Informative Action”1

1. http://www.xryshaygh.com/index.php/enimerosi/view/enhmerwtikh-drash-stis-geitonies-tou-peiraia-kai-ths-nikaias

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Intensifying Violence
Migrants

Fear & intimidation
– “During every shift we treat six or more cases of beatings of foreigners”
(unnamed surgeon, Evangelismos Hospital)1
– Example: 19 Jan. - Pakistani stabbed to death by GD2
– And even associations helping migrants3
Homosexuals
– Increase in antigay attacks4
– GD Flyers: “After the immigrants, you are next”5
Political enemies
– Mostly observing workers' organizations
– Example: 17 Dec. - GD beats SYRIZA MP: “Now we are going to kill you” 6

2. http://icantrelaxingreece.wordpress.com/2013/01/19/golden-dawn-leaflets-found-in-the-murderers-possession/
3. http://ixnos.blogspot.gr/2013/02/blog-post_4523.html
4. http://greece.greekreporter.com/2012/11/26/after-all-homophobia-is-a-greek-word/
5. http://www.lesbilicious.co.uk/extreme-right-greek-party-threatens-gay-people-after-immigrants-youre-next/
6. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20756578
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June 7, 2012

Live TV debate
Kasidiaris, spokesperson of GD hits Kanelli, KKE MP 1
10 days later, Kasidiaris got elected as MP

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0i_-ESwFvI
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September 5, 2012

Assault in Rafina near Athens
About 40 militants of Golden Dawn attack
stalls of migrants on festival.

MP Germenis:
“We told the police and then
we did what Golden Dawn must do”

Video published1 by Golden Dawn

1. http://www.xryshaygh.com/index.php/enimerosi/view/chrush-augh-paremporio-telos
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September 9, 2012

“Cleaning” a market in Messologgioy

Unit led by Barbarousis, Golden Dawn MP
Video published1 by Golden Dawn

1. http://www.xryshaygh.com/index.php/enimerosi/view/enochlhthhkan-oi-tourkoi-apo-tis-draseis-ths-chrushs-aughs
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http://www.athensnews.gr/portal/1/58542

27 Feb 2013
http://www.athensnews.gr/portal/1/58542 49/89


[The centre was used to] watch football and host
children's birthday parties, among other activities.
The center was attacked the night of September
25th, by a mob believed to be linked with Golden
Dawn.
The centre was ransacked after a group of 30-40
residents & GD members visited the night before,
threatening trouble if they did not close.

Certain accounts assert that police “left” or
“stood by” during the attack.
http://www.athensnews.gr/portal/1/58542

27 Feb 2013
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2009

Golden Dawn supporting riot police

1. http://www.xryshaygh.com/index.php/enimerosi/view/enochlhthhkan-oi-tourkoi-apo-tis-draseis-ths-chrushs-aughs
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2012

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2012

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Greece > Golden Dawn > Services skimminglight.net

Food distributions
Support fire fighters “Doctors With Borders”
1
Social Services
Blood banks Assistance unemployed
Shelter for patients
Legal assistance

Securing Security Protecting
neighbourhoods individuals
1. http://www.xryshaygh.com/index.php/enimerosi/view/mono-gia-ellhnes-to-koinwniko-ergo-ths-chrushs-aughs-mechri-shmera

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Re Food distributions

a
Support fire fighters
l Social Services
“Doctors With Borders”

Gr 1

Blood banks ee Assistance unemployed
ks
Shelter for patients
on
Security l
Legal assistance

Securing
neighbourhoods y! Protecting
individuals
1. http://www.xryshaygh.com/index.php/enimerosi/view/mono-gia-ellhnes-to-koinwniko-ergo-ths-chrushs-aughs-mechri-
shmera#.UReiY31x0xA

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Some propaganda
about the offered services

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Some propaganda...

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Summer 2012

Food Distribution
A report by The Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2012/aug/03/golden-dawn-far-right-greek-video
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Law and order

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/sep/28/greek-police-victims-neo-nazi

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Law and order

GD is increasingly assuming the role of law
enforcement officers on the streets of the
bankrupt country, with mounting evidence
that Athenians are being openly directed by
police to seek help from the neo-Nazi group,
analysts, activists and lawyers say.
“They immediately said if it's an issue with
immigrants go to Golden Dawn."

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Law and order

But the hand-outs come at a price:
allegiance to GD. "A friend who was being
seriously harassed by her husband and was
referred to the party by the police very soon
found herself giving it clothes and food in
return. She's a liberal and certainly no racist
and is disgusted by what she has had to do."


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Greece > Golden Dawn > Support skimminglight.net

Growing support

● 9%-12% in polls (stable since September)
● “26% appreciates the actions of Golden Dawn towards
immigrants while 69.5% does not.” (September poll1)
●
>50% police force voted GD2
●
Youth4
● Growing active membership. Over 5000 participants in
Athens on 2 February 20133 (next 2 slides).

1. http://news247.gr/eidiseis/politiki/sto_0_5_h_diafora_nd-syriza.1940262.html
2. http://rt.com/news/greek-police-vote-nazis-350/
3. http://www.xryshaygh.com/index.php/enimerosi/view/sugklonistika-plana-apo-thn-sugkentrwsh-twn-imiwn-binteo#.UReikX1x0xA
4. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/greeces-neofascists-are-on-the-rise-and-now-theyre-going-into-schools-how-golden
-dawn-is-nurturing-the-next-generation-8477997.html
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Athens, 2013
27 Feb 2 February 2013, over 5000 participants 66/89



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Capitalists & state Population
Weakening state Desperate
GD “helping” & tolerated What alternative?
Danger: “out of control” Social services & Security
Better than expropriation “Different”
Anti-austerity rethoric

Support

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Capitalists & state Population
Weakening state Desperate
GD “helping” & tolerated What alternative?
Danger: “out of control” Social services & Security
Better than expropriation “Different”
Anti-austerity rethoric

Support

ΧΡΥΣΗ ΑΥΓΗ
No answer on the crisis!
Most fervent supporter of capitalism!
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Greece > Golden Dawn > Capitalism skimminglight.net

Golden Dawn Capitalism
Propaganda: Anti-austerity
In parliament Yes No
Privatisations (isle, parking, etc.)1

Restrict right to strike

Reduce taxes ship owners

In the street Yes No
Attack migrants, left militants & homosexuals

Attack bankers & government politicians
Attend strikes, occupations, mobilisations
by workers & youth
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdwJhCxng0E&feature=share

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Michaloliakos (Leader GD) & his wife (GD MP) own
Hotel “New Dream”, Attiki Square, Athens
38 rooms & suites
Many (low-paid, foreign) girls at your service
www.newdream.gr

http://eng.babelmed.net/cultura-e-societa/67-greece/13021-greece-chrysi-avghi-the-darkest-side-of-the-crisis.html
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2013/02/18/golden-dawn-leaders-wifes-hotel-to-be-seized/
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38 rooms & suites
www.newdream.gr

In fact, it is a
luxury brothel

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38 rooms & suites
www.newdream.gr

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38 rooms & suites

CO Many (low-paid, foreign) girls at your service
www.newdream.gr

N FI S
CA
TE
D
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Greece > How to fight skimminglight.net

How to fight fascism?

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Greece > How to fight skimminglight.net

Against fascism

Double fight

Link up
Against capitalism

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Greece > How to fight > Capitalism skimminglight.net

Fight capitalism
No years uggle Disillusions & Despair
esu
4 ' s tr +20
rs
wo rk
cc strikeseral
gen
Temporal setbacks
elections es combativity & consciousness
s! Room for fascist ideas

Important responsibles...
Leadership unions & workers' parties
No lead
No clear perspective & program
No stimulation of local activity
Moderating demands
Divide

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The struggle against fascism is also a
struggle against capitalism and,
therefore, a struggle for democratic
workers' organisations.

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24h general
strikes won't help

Increasing pressure for Inter
● Repeated 48h strikes natio
● Occupations naliz
● Indefinite strikes ation
Until the governement falls

Mobilizing Question of Spain,
demand double power Portugal, etc.

Evolution of class struggle is hard to predict!
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Athens, November 14, 2012

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Factory under workers' control since February 12

See www.viome.org → watch video!
Keyword: solidarity
Example for the rest of Greece & Europe
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Greece > How to fight > Fascism skimminglight.net

Fight fascism Now supported
by leadership

50
Number of
antifascists usually initiatives of
committees
and counting...
who collaborate quite well

Posters
Good, Open
Leaflets meetings
but not enough!
...

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Aim should be...
Understand fascism in order to fight it
Defense against fascist threat
Refute fascist rethoric
Discuss fight for better living conditions
Organize people

Not always the case...

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Independency
Therefore organize solidarity! Active, involving

Dependency
Passive, isolation
Open air
kitchen
Exchange
Exchange books Charity
clothes of church
...
& fascists

Bring people together
Discuss problems of neighbourhood
Involve them

In at least 2 committees where Xekinima is leading
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February 24, 2012

Organizing solidarity
by an antifascist committee1

An example of how it is done

1. http://antifaep.blogspot.gr/2013/02/blog-post_22.html

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“Bring and share clothes, toys,
appliances, books, etc.

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http://antifaep.blogspot.be/2013/02/blog-post_22.html

Greece > Conclusions skimminglight.net

Conclusions

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Greece > Conclusions skimminglight.net

Capitalism in crisis

Missed chances Growth support fascism
by workers' movement Won confidence

Incredible responsibility

Not
fascism but eas
Fight against ne c y,
capitalism ess
a ry !

Internationally!
Get involved!
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For more information

www.skimminglight.net

Thanks to Xekinima,
the Greek section of the CWI
www.xekinima.org
www.socialistworld.net

Fascism in Greece and the Antifascist Fight is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
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Fascism in Greece and the Antifascist Fight

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