The government ordered a recital of police brutality ahead of the anniversary of the murder of Alexis Grigoropoulos. The provocative deployment of tens of thousands of police officers, of all bodies, in the cities of Greece, attempted to create a climate of police democracy and terror among the demonstrators.
What happened, especially in Thessaloniki and Athens, testify to deceit and conscious targeting on the part of the state, as they constitute an even greater escalation of the (already provocative) attitude of the police at the solidarity gatherings in N. Romanos, the march of November 17 and the strike on the 20th of the same month.
For the sake of truth, in Athens the day “smelled like gunpowder” from early in the morning. the established student course was conducted in a tight stranglehold, while 32 admissions and many more unneeded checks were made. The attitude of the police became more and more indicative of the orders that had “fallen”. The 5,000 police officers who were “camped” in the center, the helicopter that was making rounds and the drone that was broadcasting a live image to GADA, were probably not enough! as the time of the afternoon march approached, the police “intensified” the unnecessary checks and preventive arrests. Actually,DELTA men went so far as to surround,in order to block access to the demonstration site,members of the Refugee community,who were simply coming down to the appointment in an orderly manner. Among them, lawyers, who despite declaring their status, were coddled and pushed. Throughout the afternoon, police continued to make approximately 100 arrests, some of which resulted in arrests. Terrorism continued inside the Directorate of Transfers, where detainees were transferred to avoid a crowding in GADA, with OPKE men encouraging and pushing them.
The KKE and the left will tell you that they need education and benefits.
The Right will tell you that at last “their hands are untied”.But what we must decide en masse and collectively is how we must send them to hell.#antireport #initially pic.twitter.com/J9wuDdSLqX
— bernabeo (@bernabeo2022) December 7, 2024
Equally defiant was the attitude of the police during the march, with MAT squads within arm’s reach of the blocks, wearing their gear.The peak of police violence in the city took place in the evening hours after the end of the march in Exarchia. Ther, police officers attacked demonstrators returning from the march, but even passers-by! While they threw flashes of light on the facade of a shop and an apartment building. The video circulating on the internet are indicative of unnecessary police aggression, with the lens “catching” unnecessary beatings of unresisting detainees and unwarranted police raids in places where there were no incidents.
Likewise in Thessalonikiwhere the Friday night and after the
Yes, the Saturday morning there was a police attack even at the solidarity rally in the courts (!), where the 112 arrested from yesterday’s march have been referred! There were injuries after the police attacked the crowd in an attempt to break up the gathering, while people were chased all around the streets. The mobs of the MAT clubbed the people in the court building and then with a mass throwing of chemicals and flash grenades they tried to “clean up” the area.
Thessaloniki | The orgy of repression and police authoritarianism continues for a second day. Since the morning, hundreds of people had gathered in the courts to support the 112 arrested in yesterday’s march of December 6.#antireport#6th_December pic.twitter.com/wnosBEwoLy
— alert_gr (@alerta_gr) December 7, 2024
“The orgy of repression does not seem to have an end with the police having a clear goal of terrorism and repression of those who continue to protest against its arbitrariness and fight for a better life against the dictates of governments and capital,” NAR and the NKA of Thessaloniki. ”The solidarity rally continues,despite their efforts. Their modern totalitarianism will not pass! We are not taking a step back! Immediate release of those arrested!”, it is emphasized.
As for “why” the state decided to give such orders to the police, even to the extent that it truly seems blatantly that they were seeking tension and widespread repression, there are many reasons.
It is indeed certain that the state on every anniversary of the 6her December sees an opportunity to avenge the rebellion and send a message to everyone who keeps December’s memory alive. Also,it is known that the police use such anniversaries in order to ”fool” and “educate” their men,especially the new batch of them.
but this year – probably – there is an additional reason… The Mitsotakis government feels that it is losing valuable ground in the social consensus it thought it had won. The high mass on November 17th, in the strike on the 20th and also on the 6th of December (10,000 demonstrators in Athens – high numbers in all cities), combined with the fluid political scene formed based on the opinion polls, lead the government to take precautionary measures measure!
The impact of yesterday’s demonstrations is not that it simply invites a conservative audience to re-enlist with Mitsotakis’ ND, but rather attempts to awaken the state fabric that the social and political conditions in the country may change and to preemptively terrify the people who more and more ofen he thinks of going down the street.The dynamics of the last three kinematic hubs in the country do not go unnoticed by New Democracy and the core of the state.It is important that it does not go unnoticed even by the forces of the movement.
United Movement for Subversion: Gross police repression, extreme state authoritarianism
The United Movement for Overthrow condemns the police operation arresting hundreds of protesters in Athens and Thessaloniki yesterday 6/12/24.
Our colleague, an Orthopedist with a huge contribution to his patients and especially loved by all the workers of Asklepiio Voulas, was injured in the head by the beatings of the police (brutal head injury - KEK). His injuries were treated at the general vigilance of evangelismos where he was taken under guard and then transferred to GADA.
This afternoon his lawyer was informed that the misdemeanors for which he was accused were “upgraded” to felonies.
The colleague has serious chronic health problems that require regular medical monitoring.
We make the Ministers of Citizen Protection, Justice and Health personally responsible for any adverse development with the colleague’s health.
We demand that all retaliatory prosecution against our colleague and the other arrested be stopped immediately.
How can police reform improve the relationship between law enforcement adn the community?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Police Brutality Expert
Editor: Welcome, Dr. Elena Kostas. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent events surrounding the anniversary of Alexis Grigoropoulos’ murder and the subsequent demonstrations throughout Greece.
Dr. Kostas: Thank you for having me. Its a vital conversation that needs to be had.
Editor: The Greek government seems to have escalated its approach to police presence and crowd control during these recent demonstrations. Can you describe what took place in Athens and Thessaloniki?
Dr. Kostas: Certainly. In Athens, there was a palpable tension from the very start of the day, characterized by a heavy police presence. Thousands of officers were deployed throughout the city—5,000 alone in the central areas. This included surveillance from helicopters and drones,creating an atmosphere that felt more like a militarized zone than a space for peaceful protest.
Editor: The term “police democracy and terror” was used in the context of these events. What do you think it signifies?
Dr. Kostas: It’s a troubling juxtaposition. on one hand, the government frames this as a necessary measure to uphold order and democracy. On the other, the overwhelming police presence and tactics employed, including unnecessary checks and arrests, foster an habitat of fear. This type of policing doesn’t facilitate democratic expression; rather, it stifles it.
Editor: Reports indicate that police actions were especially aggressive. Can you tell us more about the incidents of police violence?
Dr. Kostas: Yes. Eyewitness accounts from both cities suggest that police not only targeted demonstrators but also bystanders. In Exarchia, for instance, after the formal protests concluded, officers launched attacks on peopel returning from the march.Videos circulating online show unnecessary brutality and indiscriminate beatings of those who posed no threat. This raises significant concerns about accountability and the use of force.
Editor: How did this atmosphere of tension influence the behavior of protesters and the general public?
Dr. Kostas: When individuals feel threatened by state forces, it alters their behavior dramatically. many may choose to avoid participation altogether,fearing repercussions. Those who do participate may be more defensive or confrontational, not necessarily because they want to be but out of necessity to protect themselves. This shows how a climate of fear can suppress genuine democratic engagement.
Editor: There was also a significant crackdown during solidarity rallies, particularly in Thessaloniki, where police reportedly attacked supportive gatherings near the courts. what does this suggest about state response to solidarity movements?
Dr. Kostas: It suggests a complete disregard for the right to assemble and express solidarity. The aggressive approach towards individuals supporting those arrested from the previous day’s march symbolizes a message from the state: that dissent will not be tolerated. The use of crowd control methods like chemical agents and flash grenades demonstrates a preference for brute force over dialog, which only escalates tensions.
Editor: With the upcoming political discussions around police reform in Greece, what do you believe needs to change?
dr.Kostas: First and foremost, there needs to be a thorough inquiry into police conduct during these events. We also need better training focused on de-escalation tactics rather than aggressive crowd control. It’s imperative that we cultivate a police culture that views citizens as community members deserving of respect rather than potential threats.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Kostas, for your insights on this crucial issue. As events continue to unfold, the hope is that constructive dialogue can pave the way for necessary reforms and a more democratic approach to protest.
Dr. Kostas: Thank you for shedding light on this situation. It’s essential that we continue to discuss these issues and advocate for change.