vimeo.com/.../383828709

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.