My name is Panagiotis Varthalis, I am a squatter at Lelas Karagiannis 37,
and a member of the anarchist collective "Circle of Fire", which is part of the
Αnarchist Political Organization / Federation of Collectives.
Squat "Lelas Karagianni 37" counts 32 years of life, struggle and creation.
It is a point of reference for the anarchist and anti-authoritarian movement,
as well as for wider social and class struggles, while simultaneously being a gathering point
for the intervention in local neighbourhood struggles,
in the wider area around the centre,
as well as in Kipseli district where the squat is.
The squat is home to numerous social, political, cultural activities.
While simultaneously being the ground where anarchist assemblies and collectives
are based and operate.
The elections on July 7th, were the point of renewal and acceleration
of the attack by state and bosses against the majority of society.
The law and order dogma attempted to be enforced
by the neo-fascist government of New Democracy
stands on the actions of the previous social-democratic management.
It stands on the attempt to neutralize social and class struggles.
It stands on the dozens of repressive blows,
for which the previous government was responsible.
It stands on the fatalism and defeatism, left behind by the delusions
of a different management of state and capitalism,
by the social-democratic version of modern totalitarianism.
This new cycle of repressive operations against the squats
and self-organized structures of refugees and migrants,
began on August 26th, with the eviction of four squats in the Exarhia neighbourhood.
This was followed by the invasion and camping of police forces in Exarhia,
aiming at terrorising the entire neighbourhood,
given that they have carried out a series of homophobic and sexist assaults
against customers, residents and workers.
At the same time, the police raids and operations continued in Athens
as well as other cities in Greece.
On November 15th, the police forces invade the Economic University's yard,
and the beating of the students who were protesting the school lock-out.
While there also is the brutal police violence
every time a large demonstration in the centre of Athens ends.
Characteristic examples are
the demonstration in solidarity to squats on September 14th,
the demonstration on November 17th, and the demonstration on December 6th.
In each one of those cases, the police violence that followed
the end of the demonstrations, in the Exarhia neighbourhood,
the torturing, the persecutions, and the mass detainments
were the rule, throughout this period.
The ultimatum issued by the ministry of Public Order against the squats,
did not surprise us as to its substance,
as we have already been in a process of mobilization
since last summer, against this repressive operation which directly targets us.
Neither, however, did it terrorize us.
On December 5th, the day the ultimatum ended,
we were in the streets, demonstrating our solidarity to the squats,
as well as on December 6th, where we had a dynamic presence
together with other comrades in the demonstration
for the 11th anniversary of the murder of Alexandros Grigoropoulos.
The social and class uprising that broke out in December 2008
because of the state murder of Alexis Grigoropoulos in Exarhia,
is a major political, historical, and social event.
It is proof that society is not dead.
It is proof that the authority of state and capital is not invincible.
The anarchists contribution to the eruption of the uprising
and to the struggles that preceded while preparing it, was determining.
In this uprising, we saw our proposals being socialized and embraced by the masses.
However, as anarchists, our aim is not to repeat the uprising
or ourselves within it.
Our aim is to transcend the fragmentation of action
the aformalism, the denunciation, and rebellionism.
Our aim is to set the prospect of the social revolution in realistic terms.
That is why it is necessary to upgrade our structures,
our political and organizational processes.
The entire repressive operation against social and class struggles,
and especially against the anarchist and anti-authoritarian movement
will, in our opinion, intensify and escalate in the coming period.
Moreover, the aim of this attack is the crushing blow against
the anarchist and anti-authoritarian struggle in its entirety.
However, we believe that no matter how many blows the anarchist movement receives
there are fighters all over the greek territory
who are neither terrorized or are faint-hearted.
The anarchist movement in Greece already counts 50 years of history,
it has its own casualties, its own prisoners, its own tortured.
The blood cannot be washed away by the water-cannons of the greek police.
Memory is not garbage. In the end, we will win.