A crisis arises, usually the result of state or states actions, the people respond to sort it out, and the state moves in to destroy that effort. The state can never stand by and let the people sort things out, we must always be made to believe that only the state can sort things. When we all know that in fact the state is the problem. Social centres, squats, autonomous centres, usually arise when people attempt to alleviate some problem or other. Even if they do sort the problem, they will not be allowed to survive as they are not making a profit for some organisation, or they are not state controlled.
This recent press release from Beyond Europe on the evictions of self-organised projects in Thessaloniki (27th July 2016) is typical of the way the state works, whether it by a right-wing government or a so called socialist government, they must be seen as the answer to our problems, even as their actions create more problems.
- Violent police evictions of social centers and refugee shelters in Thessaloniki shortly after the No Border Camp.
- Greece's left government executes brutal anti-refugee policies of Europe.
- Self-organized spaces are the only secure shelters for refugees.
Early this morning, 27 July 2016, Greek police simultaneously evicted three self-organised Social Centers and Refugee Shelters:
1) For many years, Nikis was a well known Social Center directly at the inner-city promenade of Thessaloniki. For us and many of our friends, it has been a place of vivid solidarity in times of a general social crisis. Over the last months, the organizers there were hosting refugees.
2) Orfanotrofeio was a squat for and with refugees, occupied since December 2015. The activists have always emphasized that such projects are not set up as idealistic symbols, but out of a pressing daily necessity, responding to the catastrophic consequences of Europe's anti-refugee policies.
3) Hurriya was the new squat for and with refugees that was occupied during this year's No Border Camp at Thessaloniki. For the activists, this occupation was an important response to the humanitarian and political crisis created by European Governments. It showed that refugees and antiracists are able to deliver much needed relief. Hurriya was the place - it was accessible, it was set up well, and the first of twelve refugee families already was starting its new life there. The authorities just destroyed those achievements for the sage of maintaining [a hostile public] order.
As a response to that destructive eviction, 30 activists have occupied the central offices of Syriza in downtown Thessaloniki and stay there until at least tomorrow noon, when a part of the detained people are being led to the judge.
Read the full article HERE:
Patriotism
No, I shall not die for the fluttering flag,
if truth be known, ’tis nothing but a multi-coloured rag
held aloft by some foolish hand
inciting worker and peasant to kill
on some green and wooded hill,
peasant and worker from some other land.
Nor shall I shed blood for the fluttering rag
that brings out fools to stand and brag
of brutal deeds painted grand,
deeds where rustic and craftsman lie so still
killed by my brothers' misguided hand.
No allegiance have I for the Nation
this man made autocratic creation
that divides my brothers in a world so small,
binds us to a country's cause, right or wrong,
bids us follow its drum, sing its song,
then sheds our blood in some border brawl.
No, I'll be no slave to flag or nation,
have no ear for power oration,
though its iron heel is on my breast,
my back feels its leather thong,
at patriotism's barracoon, I'll be no guest.
