Since early summer, due to the the action of paramilitary murderers Golden Dawn in the Athens appeals court, the neighborhood of Prosfygika, Alexandras Av., has been in a constant state of siege, which has pushed to the limits all the people in and around it, as opposed to the state projects, law enforcement mechanisms, and fascists. The deciding factor of this situation was the decision of the head judges not to accept the political nature of the trial, playing with the balance of power, as anti-fascists and refugees were isolated on one side and fascists were supported on the other.
It is important to note once again that in the neighborhood of Prosfygika, there are living about 500 people, squatters or not, of many nationalities, religions and cultures, the elderly, children, the sick, immigrants and refugees, between two hospitals – Elpis and the cancer center of Agios Savvas. The ongoing effort towards the devaluation, isolation, repression and plunder the neighborhood of Prosfygika, Av. Alexandra from the state and the market, is interwoven with the transfer of the Attica region last summer, the appeal trial of Golden Dawn, and in general the choices of institutions.
All the previous period, from early summer to the last meeting in September (30/9), state and fascists attempted to impose their presence against the neighborhood of Prosfygika. Their original plan entailed fascists in Degleri St. (running between Prosfygika and the Court of Areos Pagos) mixed with the cops, the fascist organizations in isolated Loukareos Street and undercover police as well as green riot cops stationed as permanent “protectors”, forcing the people of the neighborhood (Prosfygika) to “hide away, like mice in a hole.” These police stepped back due to an open advocacy call, which organized the community, refugees and people in solidarity to stand together. By mid September, the small number of fascists who were remained were forced to leave by anti-fascist slogans of this guard. The cops had returned to their acquired positions, ie the pavement of Degleri St., to protect the fascists during their entry and departure to the court, and at the central police headquarters.
On the court dates that fell on the anniversary of the murder of Fyssas, fascists upgraded their presence, as did the police, including on 10/14/16, where squads of riot police occupied Kouzis street and half the streets Koronias and Trichonidos cutting off large parts of the neighborhood. On 31/10/16 they attempted again to invade, and to violently break down the just self-defense of the people and impose their terrorism.
On the same day (31/10/16), at 7:45 a.m., at the same time that 50-60 members of Golden Dawn we approaching the entrance from Degleri St, riot squads invaded from Av Alexandras, attempting to push resident out. 10 fascists separated from the group, invaded from Koronias St, attacking simultaneously. Two people were arrested and then tortured. They were accused at GADA (Athens Police Head Quarters) with secondary level charges, and the trial was postponed to 11/15/16 in Military Courts.
After clearing the nieghborhood, creating a safe space for the fascists throughout the trial, Police turned to Trichonidos St. and tried to invade homes breaking external doors and using chemical and stun grenades between Elpis hospitals Agios Savvas, seriously endangering residents and patients. The organized defense of neighborhood residents spontaneously repelled the invasion. While other riot cops on the GADA side entered the neighborhood, attacking the people of the neighborhood and those whose came in solidarity to guard. From that time until 3.30 pm, there were fierce battles with riot police in the streets, either melee or from balconies and terraces, which eventually forced the cops to retreat. No incendiary materials were used for for the defense of the neighborhood, contrary to the regime’s fear-mongering. During the conflict no one was arrested, but there were several who were slightly injured, and several residents and guards who were taken to the GADA, but were released without charges on the same day. After the end of the conflict the neighborhood of Prosfygika returned to peace, free from the forces of repression and the terror, more united and more powerful than before. The only disturbance was harassment by undercover police the same night to residents of the neighborhood.
The next day (1/11/16), the neighborhood of Prosfygika was fortified and ready to resist against a renewed attempt of repression and fascist invasion. In the morning 15-20 fascists came to the entrance at Delgeri St. and attempted a new attack with stones, with protection from several units of riot police, prior to entering the trial, and were answered with stones from the neighborhood guard. During the following time, and ongoing court cases, there were confrontations with the forces, which remained at a safe distance from the neighborhood. The only exception, was an attempt by a riot squad to isolate a small group of anti-fascists from ORMA who were in the courtyard of Appeal side Degleri. The presence of residents and people in solidarity and threat to record the police prevented this attempt.
As we continue the meetings of paramilitary gang of Golden Dawn at the Athens Court of Appeal, the community of Prosfygika Av. Alexandra will defend its territory by its own efforts and the support of solidarity. A land that did not fall from the artillery of the English capitalists, nor the machine guns of snitches, and continues to stand as a barricade against the world of power, oppression and exploitation.
We clearly and publicly declare that we will not tolerate the exclusion of our neighborhood, which according to the judicial and repressive designs will be extended until the end of the trial, several months later. We will defend our neighborhood with determination and without counting the cost against the plans of repression and fascism.
Close the Degleri St enterance to the fascists of Golden Dawn
Stop the Isolation of Prosfygika neighborhood from repressive forces
Solidarity with the squats, and all who fight for freedom, equality and solidarity
2/11/16
ASSEMBLY OF SQUATTED PROSFYGIKA
