Thessaloniki Prisoner Solidarity - where is it?
Weetzie | 28.10.2003 13:48 | Thessaloniki EU
As I write, 7 anarchists are is prison on hunger strike, in Thessaloniki, Greece. One of them is Simon Chapman, an activist from London.
Yesterday, there were 2 demos at the Greek Embassy in solidarity with them. 12-2pm and 4-7pm. I was at both and altogether I'd say a total of about 40 people attended.
Needless to say, I'm pretty fucking disappointed. Is this all we can expect from a movement that preaches prisoner solidarity as a bottom line? In every anarchist publication lipservice is duly paid - but when the hell are people going to start practising what they preach (I'm not even going to bother criticising the rest of the left, trots etc. who don't even consider this important and have never, ever been there - I wouldn't expect any more from them).
There were over 3000 people at the bookfair, but only about 15 people, about half of them Greek, bothered to attend the Thessaloniki meeting. Likewise today, several Greek people had come down from Sheffield to come to the demo, and I have to say I was ashamed at the lack of turnout from the UK movement, and ashamed to be a part of it.
Simon is a Womble, and so far the Wombles have bourne much of the brunt of demonstrating, fundraising, publicity, press, stalls, etc (with the help of a few individuals) that has needed to be done. But there are many other groups and individual activists in London and the rest of the UK. When are the rest of you going to help us? We're feeling pretty much on our own here.
It really disgusts me that 4 anarchists have been on hunger strike for 22 days. 1, Castro, has been on a hunger strike for 37 days, and could die, and what the fuck are people doing to support them. This is a really urgent situation.
I also feel really scared to be part of a movement that shows so little solidarity. The cops were pretty much laughing at us today. They know they can do what they want to our movement, and nobody, least of all our comrades would do fuck all to help us. I feel conscious of this every time I'm on an action - if I'm locked up, who will support me? This is no way to create a movement.
I got involved in this movement thinking it was based on solidarity. For me this is my bottom line. This is a large part of what anarchism is about, this is what our struggle is about.
Weetzie
e-mail:
thessalonikiprisoners@yahoo.co.uk
Homepage:
http://www.wombles.org.uk/actions/updateinfo.php
Comments
Hide the following 7 comments
Sad & true
28.10.2003 17:23
If your not into demonstrating then there are plenty of other ways to support this campaign.
contact:
GUIDO
Small demos
28.10.2003 17:38
Rubber Ritchie
ok
29.10.2003 15:27
guilty
Ways to support the Thessaloniki Prisoners
29.10.2003 15:41
links
You're right but...
30.10.2003 17:14
Hopefully this message will start to mobilise more people on this urgent issue.
Thanks for the wake up call!
Solidarity
Letters DO make a difference
30.10.2003 21:40
Simon knows he has lot's of worldwide support and by writing letters to him and other prisoners does lift spirits.Also arrange/support benefit gigs, film shows to raise legal funds.
Respect to Simon and all.They can only be strong with our support.
Love and Rage
gef
THEY ARE DYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
18.11.2003 13:26
THEY ARE DYING AND WHAT ARE WE/YOU DOING THERE???????????
JUST STAY AROUND THE GREEK EMBASSADOR????JUST SHOUT 2 SLOGANS??????
THEY ARE DYING AND WE ARE HERE FOR THEM TO MAKE ANY GOVERMENT ANY STATE TO DEMAND THEIR IMMEDIATE FREEDOM OF THE SALONIKI PRISONERS!!!!!
WHAT ARE WE/YOU DOING JUST..........
IMMEDIATE FREEDOM OF THE HUNGER STRIKES OF THE SALONIKI PRISONERS !!!!!
GO OUT AND WRITE SLOGANS ON THE GREEK TOURIST OFFICE DO SOMETHING!!!!!THEY ARE DYING!!!!!
JUST SIMPLY SMASH THE FASISM AROUND YOUR CITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HUMAN BEING