Teacher takes his own life over austerity

By @inflammatory_

Austerity seems to have pushed another man over the edge, who reportedly hanged up himself on Saturday evening. Savvas Metikidis, a 44 years old teacher, resident of Athens and married with children, went for Easter holidays to his hometown, Stavroupoli in Xanthi. He took his own life in his parents' house allegedly leaving a long suicide note, expressing his resentment over the country's bleak political situation. 
Following Dimitris Kotsaridis suicide outside the Greek parliament, it seems to be the second kind of incident with clear political connotations, a couple of weeks before upcoming elections. The man's funeral will take place today at 16:00 (local time) in Stavroupoli. 

Seeking the truth behind Dimitris Κotzaridis’ death

The massive demo that took place on October 20^th was overshadowed by the death of the 53 years old construction worker and communist party unionist, Dimitris Kotzaridis. Dozens of people suffering injuries from clashes that broke out between antiauthoritarians and PAME (communist-backed union) members, received first aid from a volunteer medical group that addresses the immediate needs of protesters, in case the demo turns violent. Unconfirmed rumours of a man dying from head injuries during the riots, quickly spread out and caused confusion. Later on, although the death was verified but the causes remained unclear, there was an ongoing debate inside the parliament, over a fatal injury from clashes. Yet the reality was different…

During the protests, the man felt unwell and was taken aside from his comrades who asked for help by the police. A motorcycle ambulance rushed to the spot, to offer first aid and an ambulance arrived shortly before 17:00pm to bring Dimitris Kotzaridis to Evangelismos Hospital. 

A la recherche de la vérité concernant la mort de Dimitris Kotzaridis

Par @Krotkie

La grande manifestation du 20 octobre, a été assombrie par la mort du travailleur dans le domaine de la construction, Dimitris Kotzaridis. Pendant les conflits entre le service d’ordre de PAME (syndicat proche au Parti Communiste) et de groupes antiautoritaires, anarchistes et autres, de dizaines de blessés ont été transférés à la station médicale de la place. Dans la confusion, la (fausse) information qu’il y aurait eu un mort frappé par les groupes des manifestants a circulé. La confusion était tellement grande que, même quand le mort a été identifié, même au sein du Parlement circulait la rumeur qu’il y avait un mort à cause des émeutes entre les manifestants. La réalité était très différente…

Rapport sur le deuxième jour de la grève générale de 48 heures en Grèce

Le deuxième jour des mobilisations de la grève générale a été assombri par la mort d’attaque cardiaque d’un manifestant. La participation à la proteste de la place Syntagma, aussi massive et pacifique que le 19 octobre, a été brusquement interrompue au cours de l’après-midi, par des émeutes et l’attaque de la police. Il est estimé qu’aujourd’hui plus que 100.000 citoyens ont été rassemblés à la place.

Dès tôt le matin, de milliers de membres de PAME (syndicat proche au Parti Communiste), qui avait lancé un appel à encercler le Parlement, se sont retrouvés au monument du Soldat Inconnu (devant le Parlement). Le rassemblement des manifestants était très dense, en remplissant la place dès plus tôt qu’hier. Jusqu’à midi, la place était déjà pleine de bout à bout. A ce moment-là, les membres de PAME se trouvaient déjà sur l’Avenue Amalias (devant le Parlement), tandis que les manifestants de GSEE/ADEDY, des Syndicats primaires, de la gauche parlementaire et extra-parlementaire remplissaient les rues autour de la place.

Second day of the nationwide general strike in Greece 20 October 2011

The death of a demonstrator from cardiac arrest overshadowed the 2nd day of nationwide strikes that were as popular as yesterday 19th of October. It is estimated that more than 100,000 people gathered in Syntagma square, opposite the Greek parliament, to demonstrate peacefully although clashes broke out and police raid took place. 

Thousands of Communist-backed union protesters (PAME), who had vowed to encircle parliament, had gathered in Amalias avenue from early in the morning, in order to prevent politicians from accessing the building for the vote on the new austerity package. More protesters kept coming down to Syntagma square and the area was already packed by 12:00pm - earlier than yesterday. People from the two major trade union bodies GSEE & ADEDY, left wing groups and parties along with antiauthoritarians flooded the streets around the area.