Far-right popularity amid austerity and xenophobia

By @inflammatory_

Approximately 20 far-right activists wearing helmets and holding bats reportedly attacked university students affiliated with left wing political groups. The attack, which appeared to be well organised and targeted, took place in Athens University's school of science early this afternoon during students’ union assembly. Three students were transferred to hospital suffering injuries.The fascists were allegedly members of National People's Front and Chrysi Avgi (Golden Dawn). 

Various polls* released in the previous week, show Golden Dawn picking up 2.3-3.4% of the national vote, raising fears that "armed conflict" might become a legitimate form of political expression. With Greece under harsh austerity measures, social tensions and xenophobia are on the rise. In an attempt to get voters back who have switched to Golden Dawn, LAOS far-right party leader Giorgos Karatzaferis, has been advocating for gun permit as a means of citizens' protection against illegal immigrants. 

Meanwhile, 300 undocumented immigrants have been detained by police, as Minister of Citizen Protection, Michael Chrysochoidis has ordered a "sweep" operation in central Athens. Thirty disused military camps across the country are planned to operate before elections as detention centres, aiming to provide housing for illegal immigrants. Northern prefecture's official Aris Giannakidis, argues among others, that "immigration influx is a European issue. We cannot carry its burdens alone on our shoulders".

*polls by Kapa Research, MRM, Marc

Discussion of the bailout in Parliament on 11 February 2012

By @IrateGreek

The second bailout agreement between Greece and its international lenders was discussed in the Financial Affairs Committee of parliament on 11 February, one day before it was voted upon in the plenary session of parliament. Below is the intervention of E.Panaritis, MP for the governing party PASOK, during the discussion. Mrs Panaritis voted in favour of all provisions of the bill.

Note: If subtitles do not appear automatically, please go to YouTube view and click on the CC button at the bottom right of the video.

Greece: the morning after PSI in international media

By @IrateGreek

Wall Street Journal
Greece defaults, and Tries to Move On, by Charles Forelle

"The biggest immediate benefit to Greece is that its problems are put off until another day. It has a €14.5 billion bond due March 20, and it doesn't have money to pay it. That bond in its entirety has been forced into the swap, and Greece's first principal payment on it will now be in 2023."

Guardian
Greek deal is not the end of the story by any means, by Larry Elliot
"This, then, was a triumph for Greece but only in the way that Dunkirk was for Britain."

Further anti-austerity protests 19 February 2012 (LIVE BLOG)

By @inflammatory_

Approximately 3000 people gathered in front of the parliament this morning to protest against austerity, chanting slogans and singing the national anthem. The demo was called by the two major trade union bodies of Greece, GSEE and ADEDY, that reportedly have plans for a third general strike in a row, on top of a series of events coordinated with unions and artists, that will culminate on February 29th, the European day of action. 
A new demo is scheduled this afternoon in Syntagma sq. from left wing groups, SYRIZA trade unionists' network, primary unions, motorcyclists and Mikis Theodorakis movement. Follow #19fgr and #rbnews hashtags for twitter updates. This post will be updated with pics and info.

21:06 A RECAP OF THE EVENING DEMO' S MAIN HIGHLIGHTS

Demonstrators outside the parliament 19/2/2012 by Alexia B. on facebook

• 60 preventive detentions made by police in central Athens (Ermou St. Exarcheia & Monastiraki) prior to the demo.
• People descended on Syntagma sq. across the street from Parliament, remaining peacefully until 19:40, when riot police tactics aimed -in an obvious manner- at dispersing the crowd.
• To this end, pepper spray and stun grenade use was made, 3 people were detained and one man suffered injuries when hit by riot policeman on the head.
• Journalists were reportedly repelled by police for doing their job when covering the demonstration. One of them working for Ant1 TV was detained.

LIVE BLOG on #We_Are_All_Greeks_Now demos

By @inflammatory_

A wave of demonstrations under the slogan "We are all Greeks now" is taking place this afternoon in various cities across Europe and on the other side of the pond, where the Occupy Wall Street movement began. The list with the cities where people plan to march in solidarity with Greek people's struggle against the austerity is long: Milan, Helsinki,Cologne, London, Dublin, Berlin, Copenhagen, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Stockholm, Edinburgh, Reykjavík, Barcelona, Lisboa, New York, Coimbra and Porto...to name a few. If you wish to check each city's meeting point, please click here. 

For twitter updates follow #weareallgreeks  #18fgr and #rbnews hashtags. 
This post will be updated with pics and videos

Detentions follow school students' demo outside the parliament

By @inflammatory_

Around 400 school students staged a protest at 12:00 outside the parliament against educational reforms and the broader socio-political condition in Greece. Pics by @moggoloss

LIVE BLOG on anti-austerity protests: Feb 10-11 & 12

By @inflammatory_ 

FEB 12 TIMELINE

01:00 Recap of the day's main events 

"Greece en rage", might be an accurate description of what happened today.

• Several preventive detentions in Athens took place before even the demo starts. 
• Massive turnout as expected.The crowd was dispersed very early though, around 17:30-18:00 when tensions aroused on the front side of the demo and riot police officers started hurling teargas to repel demonstrators on the lower side of the square.
• The demo was split, but protesters remained en masse in the nearby roads, to avoid clouds of tear gas filling the air...which was literally unbearable. With sheer determination they attempted to get back on the spot but riot squad tactics were aimed at halting the demo. This cat-and-mouse chase kept for 3,5 hours.
• There were reports by journalists of policemen attacking on random people, protesting peacefully.
• Paul Mason, the BBC correspondent was attacked by a bunch of far right protesters as they thought he was German. The worst was prevented thanks to other people's intervention.
• Clashes spread across the city, with banks and retail outlets set on fire. Estimated number of arsoned buildings at 10  45.
• 100 people suffered injuries, while 74 have been arrested and 92 detained.
• In Thessaloniki 28.000 people demonstrated (including PAME members) and clashes broke out between protesters and riot police as well.



Feb 12, 2012 Demonstrators flooding the streets outside the parliament before clashes pic @Jaquou Utopie