CALL FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF A SOLIDARITY DEMONSTRATION WITH PROSFYGIKA, SQUATS, AND SELF-ORGANIZED SPACES // CALL FOR THE FORMATION OF AN OPEN ASSEMBLY IN SOLIDARITY WITH PROSFYGIKA

In the morning of 22/11, repressive forces invaded the 7th block of the of the Squatted Neighbourhood of Prosfygika, arresting the comrade Kostas D. and then, in the afternoon of the same day, in the 6th block, arresting 79 of its defenders. We don’t think that on these topics we need say more, as they are well-known facts known to most people and published (at least not in this text).

We believe that in view of the forthcoming election period, the current government is trying to close all open accounts on the election promises that brought it to power, which are quite simply summed up as neoliberalism hand in hand with repression. The operation against Prosfygika took place only a few days after the the auction of the Botaniko stadium, and was followed a few days later by the evacuation of Elaionas camp.

All are part of the same double edged redevelopment plan pushed by the state since 2000, regardless of the government in power, regional or municipal authorities. The attacks against Prosfygika play a special role within this, both in terms of the suppression of communities of struggle and the physical looting of the neighborhood as a part of the state’s strategy for the gentrification of downtown Athens. The recent evictions of Dougrou and Mundo Nuevo squats in Larissa and Thessaloniki can be understood as part of the same plan, as the state carries out parallel attacks across the territory.

The “law and order” rhetoric of the current government has a two-fold objective: at the same time rallying right-wing and far-right audiences, while attempting to strike and weaken social resistance and the organized radical movement.
As we have often pointed out in previous texts, the attacks on squats have been a part of the state’s strategic planning for over a decade. We don’t know if this attack on us was the big one: if it was simply a rehearsal or test-run for a later invasion of the neighborhood, or part of a larger plan for the multifaceted repression of the Squatted Neighborhood of Prosfygika. What we do know, is that the next attack may come very soon. Next time, the state will be even more prepared. We must be as well.

In order to give a clear message to state mechanisms that orchestrated the attack, current and future governments, we deem it necessary to co-organize a massive central solidarity demonstration with the Community of Prosfygika as soon as possible. We call for a demonstration that will bring together people and movements across the spectrum of social and political struggles. A demonstration that will declare that the attacks against Prosfygika, Dougrou, Mundo Nuevo, and Exarchia will not be left unanswered and will have the solidarity from the majority of the society.

A demonstration that, by highlighting the fight put up for the self defense of the neighborhood, is positioned in solidarity with all free, public, and liberated spaces targeted by repression.
On a second level we also deem it necessary to call for the formation of an Open Assembly in defense of the Squatted Neighborhood of Prosfygika, Alexandra Avenue with the following main objectives:

– The organization of a series of actions and interventions in support of the neighborhood, to counter state propaganda.

– The organization of a series of actions to highlight the community and its struggle – The continued preparation of the defense of the neighborhood

– The strengthening and increased participation in the community structures and with ultimate goals:
The continued evolution of the neighborhood and the community of Prosfygika fermenting common militant political practices and perspectives

For these reasons, we call for an assembly on

Thursday 15/12, at 18:00

at the Social Center of the Squatted Neighborhood of Prosfygika, on Alexandra Avenue (L.Alexandras and Degleri), for the immediate organization of a central demonstration solidarity with Prosfygika, Exarchia and, all self-organized spaces (proposed date Saturday 7/1/23 at noon).

SyKaPro 10/12/22