The new government in Greece is launching an unprecedented offensive against the libertarian and self-governing movement. The newly elected right-wing prime minister Kyrikas Mitsotakis has publicly promised to “clean up” Exarchia this summer and smash the anarchist group ‘Rouvikonas’ (1). Beyond the “notorious” neighborhood and the elusive group, the entire left-wing scene is also being targeted with various repressive measures.
Once again, what is happening in Greece gives us food for thought. What is being prepared in other parts of Europe, how capitalism is becoming more and more armoured throughout the continent and how societies are becoming more and more authoritarian. This time it is primarily a question of sanctioning anarchist projects by considering their revolutionary political aims themselves as an immediate threat and thus a punishable act. Or in short: being outlawed. Not anarchist projects as such, but as a trick rather the creation of a “threatening environment” which represents a “danger to social order and bourgeois peace”.
Especially in the specific case of ‘Rouvikonas’, the government considers it appropriate to classify direct but non-bloody forms of action in the category of ‘terrorist acts’ (Article 187a of the Greek Penal Code), with serious legal consequences for all members of the group. Worse still, the Greek state will systematically hold all members of Rouvikonas responsible for any action taken (even by one) of the members of the group. In other words, if a state office were destroyed tomorrow morning by five members of the group, the hundred other members would also be prosecuted. The penal code will not only be amended to intensify this impending offensive announced a month ago, but it will also strengthen state resources to hit Exarchia and then the entire anti-authoritarian milieu in Greece. 2000 police officers are deployed to monitor and conquer Exarchia.
The Greek police are being advised by French special units (thanks Macron!). In this context we would like to remind you of the French political and economic support of the Ben Ali regime in Tunisia. Here the French police provided equipment for the regime. Michele Alliot-Marie (2) had even suggested sending CRS units to Tunisia. And this at a time, in which opponents of the regime were fired upon with live ammunition.
The traditional left-wing retreat zone, the Polytechnic University, known for its historical role in the uprising against the dictatorship in 1973, and also an important place of resistance during the uprisings of 2008 and 2014, is now to be placed under police supervision. The university asylum (3) is to be completely abolished. The state is also sending clear signals towards the organs of repression: Epaminondas Korkoneas, the policeman who killed Alexis Grigoropoulos in cold blood with his service weapon, has meanwhile been released (4). Police officers who prepare to use guns when entering Exarchia may now assume impunity.
Should the state decide to attack Exarchia this fall, fall is likely to be hotter than the hottest Greek summer. A defense of the entire district would even be of historical dimension. While the whole world continues to become more fascist, in Greece, as in France, the pseudo-democrats surf on the wave of right-wing extremists. No wonder that the opponents of the authoritarian world are at the top of the list of enemies.
Further information, suggestions and texts will come in the coming days and weeks, especially from Exarchia. Many thanks for all cross-border solidarity, even despite or in case of political differences.
Yannis Youlountas
(1) The group is known for its various high-visibility attacks, which tend to cause symbolic material damage, but of which video clips shot during the actions appear on the internet.
(2) Former French Foreign Minister with close links to the Tunisian regime. Had a holiday in the country during the 2011 revolt, flew through world history in the private jet of a Ben Ali confidant, and meanwhile her parents were doing real estate deals with the regime. Then had to resign.
(3) Since the fall of the Obrist regime the cops have been forbidden to enter university campuses, even if militant actions emanate from these places. In the past, exceptions were extremely rare.
(4) Originally sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, a court reduced the sentence to 13 years a few days ago. Due to “good conduct” the cop was released within a few days. This led to street battles in Exarchia on 31.7.2019. Before that, many people had gathered at the place where Alexis was shot.
Note of Sebastian Lotzer, who translated thist text into German:
This text was published on 31.7.2019 in French under the title “GRÈCE : LA CHASSE AUX ANARCHISTES EST OUVERTE ! http://blogyy.net/2019/07/31/grece-la-chasse-aux-anarchistes-est-ouverte/“. I edited the translation work of Resi Lucetti and added some footnotes.
taken from here