18/11/2020
TRADE UNION RESOLUTION AGAINST THE AUTHORITARIANISM OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE SYMBOLIC DEMONSTRATION IN ATHENS
We welcome the participation of trade unions and trade unionists in the celebrations of the commemoration of Polytechnic uprising, especially during the morning in the symbolic mobilization outside the US embassy and in the afternoon in the city centre. They were militant and exemplary rallies based on the suggestions of the doctors, during which people shouted the timeless and up-to-date slogans of the Polytechnic uprising but also the demands that are urgently needed to be implemented for the protection of our life, health and rights.
We denounce the unprovoked attack of the repressive forces against the unions and the protesters. The government has criminal responsibilities, as it has been proven that the protection of public health was a pretext for violating our trade union rights. The aim was to commemorate the Polytechnic uprising and its message. The Polytechnic uprising is still alive!
The authoritarianism and government bans have failed. We demand the release of all those who have been arrested.
We continue on the path of the militants of the Polytechnic uprising, the militants of the working class.
World Federation of Teachers’ Unions FISE
Militant Rallies Against Oppression and Imperialism-Violent Attack by the Police
On November 17 militants, unions, peoples organizations from all over Greece honored the antiimperialist struggle and the 1973 Uprising against the USA-NATO, against imperialist wars and interventions and claimed their contemporary rights.
With events and rallies all over Greece the militant organizations broke the attempt of the Government to ban the right of the people to demonstrate.
In Athens, with a sudden action in the morning 200 militants demonstrated in front of the USA Embassy despite the police ban.
In afternoon more than 1000 people with “organized disobedience” rallied in the center of Athens, with all Health protection measures. Similar symbolic events were organized in many cities of Greece
Photoshttps://flic.kr/s/
Video Athens https://youtu.be/MmmpDhTYvc0
Video Thessaloniki https://youtu.be/PhhWbBExrJw
Video Giannenahttps://youtu.be/
Against the peaceful, disciplined and organized rallies, the Greek Government responded with thousands of policemen, who did not take any precaution measures against the pandemic, and violently attacked against the demonstrators. Violent oppression was used in Athens, Giannena, Crete and other cities against the militants.
Video start of police attack in Athenshttps://youtu.be/
Video Athens https://youtu.be/a4F7G5eUIDw
Photos https://flic.kr/s/aHsmSda37J
The Executive Secretariat of PAME in its statement denounced“the orgy of repression against peoples’ rallies. Rallies that complied to the maximum with all the measures for the protection of public health. The government and the police responded with chemicals, water cannons, with unprovoked attacks, to MPs ofKKE(Communist Party of Greece), with targeting of PAME trade unionists, they proceeded with dozens of arrests and violent injuries of protesters.
Thanks to the disciplined response of the protesters, we did not mourn the victims. The police targeted trade unionists with particular vigilance. The first to receive the unprovoked attack were the 1967-74 prisoners-exiles heroes of the anti-junta struggle. The new repressive forces with the motorbikes, with golden symbols on their helmets, functioned like wolves against the crowd. The aim was to have victims. If anyone needs to be arrested immediately, it is the Minister of Public Order!”
More than 100 persons were arrested in Athens and many injured. Late in the evening they were released, with unfounded charges filed against a Board Member of the Athens Construction Workers Union
PAME called the working class to respond to authoritarianism, oppression, and the attack against workers’ rights with massive participation in the National General Strike on November 26
18.11.20
PAME pamehellas.gr/en pamehellas.gr/esp international@pamehellas.gr 18.11.20 Militant Rallies Against Oppression and Imperialism-Violent Attack by the Police TRADE UNION RESOLUTION AGAINST THE AUTHORITARIANISM OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE SYMBOLIC DEMONSTRATION IN ATHENS
