Thessaloniki 2003

international | anti-capitalism | news report Thursday June 19, 2003 14:40 by Karn - ASF

A short report before things kick off

Even if we are only thursday, I thought folks would like to know how it was so far.

As many of you already know, the EU Summit will be held this weekend in Thessaloniki, Greece. Few people from Ireland are present. I suppose there are 3 main reasons: some got tired and/or hurt at the anti-G8 in Evian, others were too scared to come to Greece, knowing that it would be very violent and others simply can't afford to be part of the activists jetset (fair enough).
So, little of us are around but internationally, the numbers come from mostly Greece, Eastern Europe, the US, Germany and Scandinavia.
We arrived on monday and the university was occupyied for only 2 days by then. The place that was given to us was far too small so we occupied other buildings. There are campsites as well on the University ground.
Today, a demonstration in solidarity with immigrants will take place in Thessaloniki city centre, organised by some anarchist groups. This demonstration is "non violent" which means we don't attack but we will defend ourselves.
Tomorrow, most organisations and groups ( some anarchists, Social Forum, leftists and even the Communist Party of Greece) will head to Marmaras, on the east coast of Thessaloniki where the Summit will take place. We do not go all together for there are strong feelings from groups to other groups. The Communist Party of Greece is a bit different from the other CP in Europe for they are still strongly Stalinist (openly) and always try to attack anarchists and other leftists.
But...we have a plan...
The day after that, there will be a massive demonstration in Thessaloniki city using three different routes ending at the White Tower.
Obviously I will give more informations as soon as possible tomorrow if I am not locked up!
Now, I would like to say that the rumors I have heard while in Ireland about greek anarchists carrying guns is completely untrue. The greek anarchists so far have been pushing hard on the issue of safety for all, before, during and after the battles.
No matter where you are, the State is the State and the police is the police.

For the rest, we are having fun and we are lucky that the weather is cooler these days. CS Gas is bad enough but with 40C, it's called hell.