STRUGGLE INITIATIVE THESSALONIKI 2003

Just say “Welcome” to EU as deserved!

Press release, June,1 2003

www.thessaloniki2003.gr

 salonica_2003@yahoo.com

Tel. ++30-6973-727674

++30-6945-132694

++30-6944-707669

Tel./Fax ++30-2310-270082



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1. EU-Summit in Thessaloniki 20-22, June

2. Evian. Against G8-Summit 2003

3. Repression against Anti-EU movement

4. Manifestation and Concert against Fascism, Saturday 7 June in Thessaloniki

5. Our program against the EU-Summit in Thessaloniki



1. EU-Summit in Thessaloniki 20-22, June

Struggle Initiative Thessaloniki 2003 is preparing actions, demonstrations workshops, book and caricature exhibitions etc. In the following days thousands of people will converge in the region of Northern Greece in order to take part in the International Camping against Capitalism and Imperialism, in the conferences, workshops and to help prepare the large demonstrations in Thessaloniki and mass civil disobedience in Halkidiki of June 20th.
Our intention is to express our fundamental criticism of capitalist development and our clear rejection of the transnational enterprises which provoke workers exploitation, thought control and social exclusion.
The EU summit will take place in the Porto Carras Hotel (110 km from Thessaloniki), from 20th to 22nd June 2003. This is a small resort in Halkidiki, a three-legged peninsula in North Greece without any movement tradition. The Greek presidency has chosen this place in order to avoid disturbances by demonstrators and activists.
Struggle Initiative tries to express an anti-EU, anti-capitalistic movement. The system of capitalism cannot be reformed as it inevitably leads to these effects. The break with capitalism is the only possible way to liberate the workers class and to prevent a further human and ecological economic catastrophe.



2. Evian. Against G8-Summit 2003

There is a connection between last G8-Summit in Geneva and today’s movement against G8-Summit in the French city of Evian. Over 80.000 took part in the manifestations and actions in order to block or disturb the meeting of the 8 strongest leaders of the world. This time K. Simitis, the Greek EU-President was present at the meeting, as a proof of power and display of EU’s planning. EU-leaders were sitting together next to G.Bush, the murder of the Iraqi people, planning the next crime of imperialism. We believe that EU-Summit in Thessaloniki next June can be a reason to continue fighting against the capitalistic system, against the exploitation, destruction of public services, job precariousness, repression, flexibility, and the dismantlement of social rights.



3. Repression against Anti-EU movement

Town police demolished and seized Struggle Initiative’s Info stand on Kamara Square. Mayor and Greek government collaborate perfectly against the anti-EU movement in Greece. Activists were stopped and controlled by armed police forces in the centre of Thessaloniki. Placing political posters and banners is not so simple! Struggle Initiative’s members and friends were disturbed by armed police forces last week. Specific town areas are under patrolling every evening and political discussions are being observed by public forces in Thessaloniki.



4. Manifestation and Concert against Fascism, Saturday 7 June in Thessaloniki

Trade unions, political groups and Struggle Initiative Thessaloniki 2003 are calling for a great Manifestation against Racism, Fascism and at the town’s symbol, the White Tower. Greek Neo-Nazis are planning to celebrate a scientifically unsure anniversary of Alexander the Great at the same place. “Accidentally” this celebration coincides with the last weekend of the Thessaloniki Book-Festival! Right-wing prefecture of Thessaloniki supports this celebration and refuses to permit the Concert against Fascism at 20.30 in the place of Thessaloniki Book-Festival.



5. Our program against the EU-Summit in Thessaloniki

International Rally against the European Union

Saturday, June 21, 2003 Town Centre (Kamara), Thessaloniki

International ProtestsêEU-Summit in Thessaloniki



GREAT ASSEMBLY OF MOVEMENTS AGAINST CAPITALISM

Sunday, June 22, 2003 Uni Campus, Thessaloniki

International ProtestsêEU-Summit in Thessaloniki

mobilisations

Thursday, June 19, 2003

DAY AGAINST RACISM
and IRAQ-OCCUPATION

Town Centre, Thessaloniki

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Friday, June 20, 2003

DISOBEDIENCE DAY

against the EU-SUMMIT

Porto Carras Htl, Halkidiki


Antiwar Picture-Caricature and Book Exhibition in the Exhibition Room (1st Floor), School of Polytechnics (16.06-20.06.2003). Concerts, workshops, discussions, video films and actions are going to be held during these days.