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We interrupt this Greek cultural evening

steve | 26.11.2003 01:36 | Thessaloniki EU | Globalisation | Repression | Social Struggles | London | Sheffield

Report of an action in solidarity with the Saloniki 7.



Around 30 or 40 interrupted a film show on Greek culture at the Royal Festival Hall in solidarity with the Saloniki hunger strikers and Greek juveniles held in Greece.

A large banner was unfurled on the stage and many people had placards also. Leaflets were handed out to the audience. We asked to show a five minute film about the case including video footage showing how the police switched Simon Chapman's original blue bag to a black one containing molotovs.

The management was not too sure about this so it was put to the audience. Around half of them raised their hands to signal they did want to see the film, so the management agreed. However after watching it themselves they said they couldn't show the film because it was too violent and they needed special permission (or a licence) to show such footage. It shows Greek police beating Simon Chapman.

After some discussion and another announcement to the audience we decided to leave. Their were already a large number of police at the doors as we left.


 http://www.freesimonchapman.org

steve

Comments

Hide the following 4 comments

Well done

26.11.2003 12:38

Looks like a success, hopefully those who wanted to see the film were motivated to find out what all the fuss was about, despite not being able to see it there and then.

The film could have been shown to on a laptop.
This would get round the possibility of the management not allowing the film to be shown at all. Then interested individuals would be able to see it.

Furat Al-Samaraie


In Washington DC there is no anger about this case

26.11.2003 14:58

I live one mile from the Greek embassy.

It is sad that no one seems to be
concerned about this issue in Wash.DC

With all the NGO_s and membership groups
in this town it is sad no one is protesting.

I hope they are not waiting untill one or
more persons dies.

Post No Bills


Pedantic correction

26.11.2003 16:04

The film showing was at the National Film Theatre, not the Royal Festival Hall. Members of the audence were clapping and chanting for our film to be shown. Great news about bail, despite being a bit bloody late.

-


Protest at National Film Theatre

04.12.2003 13:21

In the interests of accuracy you should note that the protest which interrupted the screening of the Angelopoulos film Landscape in the Mist was actually at the National Film Theatre and not as mentioned in the report the RFH which is our next door neighbour.
Visitors to this website might be particularly interested in our season of films from 1968 which is currently running throughout December and includes Throw Away Your Books, Let's Go into the Streets, If... and In the Year of the Pig and other classics from this seminal era of protest. www.bfi.org.uk/nft
Brian Robinson
National Film Theatre

Brian Robinson
mail e-mail: brian.robinson@bfi.org.uk