Athens seems to be going through exceptionally tough times: austerity measures that make society kneel under great pressure are put to practice, police units are stationed in every single block downtown, the big unions (GSEE, ADEDY) are completely silent, while demonstrations are weak, with little participation and even less passion. And yet, although society seems to be numb and not to know how to react against the intensifying pressure from all sides (needless to mention that the mass media have been very creative in the way they combine terrorism with the anarchist/antiauthoritarian movement every single day on the news), a new squat is born in the neighborhood of Marousi (northern suburb of Athens).
In their introductory text they write, among other things:
“While many young people have no interest in what is going on in society, and spend their time in clubs and internet cafes, our need and desire to articulate political discourse through various actions and to resist the repression, breach and limitation of our rights, in a society which has enrichment and individualism as its sole values, all the above urged us to create a free space where we will have the opportunity to self-organize”.
“Thus we decided, being a group of people who identify ourselves as part of the anarchist/antiauthoritarian movement, to occupy the Kouvelou Mansion on 7 April, and to create an open social center where we will house, anti-hierarchically, our political and social beliefs. Away from the influence of political parties, with self-organization as our basic principle, we long to transform this building into a hub of counter-information, events, discussions and various forms of action. Our goal is to make it a lively part of the city, open to all”.
“We consider it our right to have a space where we will develop our activities. It is our aim to contribute to social demands and struggles against all forms of power.”
With self-organization and solidarity as our weapon, we walk on the path towards freedom.
Party and discussion on Sunday 11 April at 12pm.
Kouvelou Mansion Squat
Dionisou & Solonos [behind the Social Security Organisation (IKA) in Marousi]
Friday, April 9, 2010
http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/2010/04/09/232-welcoming-a-new-squat-in-athens/
