Solidarity needed: drop the charges against anti-fascists in Greece!

Anti-fascist and anti-racist activists in Greece (including Petros Constantinou, seen speaking above) have been charged under Greece's "anti-terror" laws - for speaking out against the recent police killings of two Albanian escaped prisoners. Tell the Greek government to drop the charges now, and to stop the persecution of anti-fascist and anti-racist activists.

How you can help:

1) Sign the online petition here.

2) Send a letter of support to anti-fascists in Greece from your trade union, student union, social justice group or anti-racism organization (see below for sample letter). Email antiracismfascism@yahoo.gr.

3) Forward this appeal to all your contacts, especially allies in trade unions, student unions, social justice groups or anti-racism organizations.

4) Download a copy of the petition here, collect signatures from co-workers and friends, and deliver the petition to the nearest Greek Embassy or Consulate.

5) Where possible, organize a picket outside the Greek Embassy in Ottawa or the Consulate in Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver. Collect signatures on the petition from passers-by, and deliver them to the Embassy or Consulate afterwards. If you can organize a picket, email the details to 2jamesclark@gmail.com.

Background:

Petros Constantinou is an elected member of Athens City Council and the national coordinator of KEERFA (United Movement Against Racism and the Fascist Threat), an anti-fascist and anti-racist organization in Greece. In early July, Petros spoke out against the recent police killings of two Albanian escaped prisoners, describing their deaths as "the de facto application of the death penalty."

In response, police have charged Petros under state "anti-terror" legislation for "terrorizing" the population and damaging Greece's "international relations." The only evidence for these charges was a distorted statement taken from the website of the openly fascist Golden Dawn party (Chrysi Avgi). The charges were announced the same day that fascists made death threats against Petros and defaced the local offices of a left-wing political party.

These charges represent an escalation of state repression against outspoken anti-fascist activists, including Konstantinos Moutzouris, former Dean of NTUA (Athens Polytechnic); Savvas Michael, Secretary of the EEK (Revolutionary Labor Party); and members of Samos Hospital workers' union, who blocked Golden Dawn's racist blood donation program.

We, the undersigned, condemn the ongoing persecution of anti-fascist and anti-racist activists in Greece, and call on the Greek government to implement the following demands:

· Drop all charges against Petros Constantinou, Konstantinos Moutzouris, Savvas Michael and members of the Samos Hospital workers’ union.

· Stop the criminalization of newcomers, migrants and refugees.

· Stop the persecution of anti-fascist and anti-racist activists.

· End all collaboration with the fascist Golden Dawn (Chrysi Avgi).

Sample letter:

Dear KEERFA,

On behalf of , I would like to express our solidarity with your struggle against fascism and racism in Greece. We condemn the recent attempts by the Greek state and police to intimidate, harass and persecute anti-fascist and anti-racist activists. We call on the Greek government to drop all charges against Greek anti-fascist and anti-racist activists, including Petros Constantinou, Konstantinos Moutzouris and Savvas Michael. We will circulate your petition among our members and continue to support your struggle for justice.

In solidarity,
(insert name of organization here)