(04.36 GMT+2).
I just came back from Syntagma due to a very unfortunate personal incident (I had otherwise planned to stay the night) and I have the following to report:
1) The people who came out today were literally in the hundreds of thousands; do not buy into the estimates that massively understate their numbers. At 8 p.m. the entire Syntagma square and all nearby streets were packed, which means approximately 100,000 people. Calculating the flows of people from 6 p.m. and given that people would constantly come and go, we are literally talking of hundreds of thousands – a participation that exceeded all expectations.
2) The nationalists faced a huge defeat. We are talking of an enormous crowd and in it there were three greek flags in total, a number that is smaller even than those at general strikes. And so, the scaremongering that this was a nationalist trap was unfounded. To the contrary!
3) Yes, the crowd was mixed, inexperienced and heterogeneous – but aren’t Athenians so? The fact that people with so different philosophies to one another coexisted is for me a huge victory. Perhaps for half these people this was their first or their second mobilisation. Once again, well done to them for taking to the streets, even if carrying their prejudice and bias.
4) The people FINALLY were insistent and would not leave. Even when I left there were quite a few people, and it was 3 a.m.!
5) The open assembly of Syntagma operated exceptionally well and openly, putting radical issues to the table. Indefinite strike, indefinite occupation of Syntagma, clear anti-fascist references. Elementary impromptu cleanup services worked as well, in line to the Tahrir square model! It was clear that the seed sown on February 23 has been fertilised and the much-craved occupation of Syntagma square has become a reality.
6) As an anarchist I pity all my comrades who snubbed, undermined and smeared today’s impromptu and leaderless mobilisation. Instead of joining in with these people and politically fermenting with them, they chose its snubbing and the easy elimitism against the “clueless and politically reactionary masses”. A great pity, but the space for immediate rectification still exists for all who can and want…
7) Finally, everything has began! The people took to the streets and would not leave. Syntagma has shown it can become an epicentre of social protest with radical characteristics and foremost social clash, just like many of us had dreamt on February 23. We have much to still face and huge hurdles to jump over, but today was an Historical day that no-one expected and everyone was pleasantly taken by surprise from. The social power of the internet was finally confirmed here, too.
In conclusion: take to Syntagma today, too, carrying the experiences of yesterday’s huge day!
Today, more of us and more determined, to the square!
Everything has began once again, and nothing remains the same!
32 Comments
I was out there last night as well for a long time and kept wondering aloud, “Where are all the anarchists?” This was a huge opportunity for agitation and intervetion… hopefully it’s not passed.
Also, I was thinking what a perfect time for anarchists to lose the black uniform for a night and mingle with the crowd…
long live the Syntagma Permanent Open Assembly!
For a revolution anarchist ideas (not anarchism!) has to be a part of peoples ideas. you cant reach that by not getting in touch with them. lose your white handgloves!
Yeah, this will definitely scare the state technocrats away….
@NIHIL: Do the bombs scare them away? What do you think are bosses, politicans and state technocrats more affraid of? Small Groups of nihilists and a bomb a month (or week or day – every one means more repression, more police, more FRAGMENTATION of revolutionary movement) or houndredthousands of angry people on the streets – beginning to ACT TOGETHER in solidarity? Maybe this events are a start for it, maybe not, maybe the fascists grow because the “revolutionary” anarchists sit at home and dream of a revolution during they arn`t able to talk with people and build up a alternative way of mutual aid to this fucking society.
@Anarcho:
Do bombs scare the members of the establishment? OF COURSE THEY DO! If they weren’t threatened by revolutionary violence there wouldn’t be a need for all those goons they hire to protect them. Get this into your skull, you dweebs!
—-
Man, what a sorry-looking hodgepodge of reformist and apolitical idiots who expect to go anywhere with their pussified facebook-revolution!
…oh and, lol@ludicrous claims of “hundreds of thousands” in attendance.
Good news from Greek!!!! I’m very happy with this new pacific face of the greek revolution.
Of course, I also support anarchy actions; but cannot be the only way to change the system.
@FAUST
when has appeared that type of “revolutionary violence”? not when there is a strong movement. groups like ccf, 17n, raf etc. are a cry of desperation. they appear as a reaction against the apathy of society or while revolutionary movements are falling apart. they are not able to destruct whole institutions that enslave the people, their isolation in underground weakens them and in the end many of their members end up in prison…
I neither judge nor condem this type of resistance, there are times that you are forced to act in that way, but I always would prefer to join a revolutionary movement instead of a revolutionary micro-group. revolutionary movements are far more effective in destruction and most important: they are also able to create!
btw. why are you that damn arrogant? you think you know anything about the people out there, you are just one more of these judgemen in black robes…
You’ll notice that these large crowds are really not that effective unless they are also violent. I’m not talking about anarchist violence but large scale mob violence from regular citizens. You saw that type of thing on may 5. Unfortunately the death of the marfin bank employees deflated the entire movement. Who ever heard of a bloodless revolution though?
What is going on in Athens now has less than nothing to do with proletarian mass violence and an attack against the state and capital. To me it seems like an imitation of the events in Spain where some stupid concerned middle class citizens are begging for “real” democracy, honest politicians and a little bit more “just” capitalist exploitation in front of the parliament. These real democrats would KILL all revolutionaries to protect their fucking new democratic order.
livestream from syntagma:
http://www.star.gr/ELLADA_KOSMOS/93174
(what disturbs me more is the tolerance of national flags in the protest)
Trust me, American elite have been laughing at these types of protests for years. I hope your politicians are more responsive, but I doubt it.
Nice analysis. I totaly agree with your angle. There is a chance that shouldn t be missed. This is a people s movement tha should be formem into a concious political act. Everyone should contribute to this. Go to the streets, talk to the guy next to you. InterACT!
‘Instant Revolution’- just add nihilism…I’m sick of these childish, romantic arseholes who seem to think they are the paragons of revolutionary change. What a bunch of Reactionary elitist nihilist cunts who really need to be given some ‘physical education’ by real proletarians to cure them of their bourgeois ‘Father issues’, and fantasies of a perfect, pure revolt. Proto-fascist cavemen can’t even see the germseed of something that has enormous potential…They would rather bomb ”the guy next to them’ rather than talk to him- and which act takes more courage? Blergh!
“nihilist cunts”
incubus, you seem to have some serious problems with women….
“real proletarians”
the proletariat gives a shit on petty bourgeois scum like you.
Let’s cite a classic – Kropotkin’s Conquest of Bread:
“We do not believe that in any one country the Revolution will be accomplished at a stroke, in the twinkling of an eye, as some socialists dream.”
And the same it is with the revolutionary movement. Is it a kind of fashion between some anarchist to disgrace every hope in the very seed? Such “anarchists” play useful fools for elites. Maybe they do not even want the revolution. Because in a new society, they would not be that special black clothed and revolutionary-looking anarchist-nihilists, the “right ones”, the only enlightened ones. And it seems to me that the only reason for some of them to be without creed is to play God. Wake up, please! I would like to ask Nihil and those who agree with him: Do you REALLY think the “proletarian attack on State and Capital” is possible without people? And if all those active in the streets are the Middle class, where are your proletarians than? Maby lost in some old books in your cafe? If anarchists spend their time discussing again and again if it is better to have the red colour up on their flag or down, than all is doomed. And all the people would follow stupid refoirmist ideas. And after those fail, the fascist ones.
YOU MUST GO BETWEEN PEOPLE. I CALL TO EVERY ANARCHIST OF CONCIOUSNESS AND WITH SOME COMMON SENSE LEFT AFTER READING OF PAMPHLETS (written to inspire, not to dictate):
GO TO THE STREETS. MAKE GROUPS OF TWO OR THREE (MUCH BETTER THAN TO BE ALONE) AND DISCUSS WITH PEOPLE. OFFER THEM THE ANARCHIST ALTERNATIVE. THEY WILL LISTEN TO YOU NOW, AFTER ALL THE OTHER “ALTERNATIVES” SEEMS TO FAIL. MAKE IMPROVISED STANDS, OFFER LEAFLETS OR ANYTHING AND SPEAK, DISCUSS, INSPIRE!!!
YOU MUST BE IN EVERY CORNERON EVERY SQUARE, ALL THE DAY LONG, DISPERSED AND SUBVERSIVE.
THE MOVEMENT WILL BE THE LIKE OF WHICH YOU MAKE IT!
I watch the situation in Greece longer time. And it seems to me more and more probable we are soon (in next years) going to see events similar to those of Spain in 1936. But on the other hand the history never repeats completely. It depends on many decisions made in many crucial moments, it depends on all of us. Great hope emerges…
If the popular uprising in Greece undermines IMF plan, the markets go crazy. Ireland and Portugal go bankrupt soon after. Than the Spain. The Eurozone falls. Popular uprisings emerges in other countries. Than the Japan – with debt over 190% GDP (the debt is quite stabilized now, but in such a situation?!) and US collapse… Globally, the financial system would collapse. And if the people see the possibility of a new kind of society coming into existence, they would follow the example. (If they do not see anything like that, they give themselves to fascism, unfortunately.) The situation is grave, there is much at risk. But this situation is the logical outcome of the capitalist system as well. AND IT IS A CHANCE.Not only for Greece, but for the world. Dream or nightmare? It depends on us.
Respect, patience, solidarity and above all the HOPE and DETERMINATION
Leftway, anarchist from Prague
“Do you REALLY think the “proletarian attack on State and Capital” is possible without people?”
No. But as long as there are any democratic illusions as we can see now it won’t be possible on a large scale.
@ leftway
take a look to MMT (Modern Monetary Theory)
well, i agree with you about democracy, nihil. as do most people here, i would imagine. but how do think people are disabused of such democratic pretensions? how do you think one moves to mass popular violence? it seems quite possible for the people encamped at syntagma to go through such a process of radicalization, simply by virtue of the commitment of the state to its pas de deux with the imf, police repression, etc. history has plenty of examples of people radicalized in such a way. that’s the thing — *people change their mind through experiences*. history also provides plenty of examples of revolutionary groupuscules, contemptuous of everyone and everything else, accomplishing nothing except their own suicidal self-extinction. enjoy your purity!
an example of a much more intelligent position to take toward the rhetoric of democracy: http://anarchistnews.org/?q=node/14628
@Pierre: I agree with you that there are a lot of historical and also current examples of these processes of radicalization. But this time it will unfortunately remain a popular spectacle where some citizens can let some steam off. In a few days it will be over but I hope I’m wrong with this perspective. Enjoy you’re virtual facebook hippie “revolution”!
Yeah, went down there today and found it pretty scary. Flag waving Greeks singing the national anthem and then suddenly starting to chant ‘ Hellas! Hellas!’ whilst clapping and putting their hands in the air. It felt very nationalist and socialist. Got out of there quick.
@ NIHIL
Nihilist pricks if you prefer, although it’s ironic that most nihilists in Greece appear to have penises (any connection there?)…
It’s the proletariat taking the squares dum-dum, and while those in Place de Catalunya are learning a harsh lesson on the realities of power, they are learning none the less…
incubus, we know that you’re a castrated leftist with serious mental problems. go away….
I am Not an Anarchist , i do Not have a clue about anarchism, but I honestly Tell you you are intimidating for us, The very Small and very ignorant. You are also very isolated. I do Not mean to judge you but we, The very Small and very ignorant , feel more Safe in this colorless Movement. We DO want TO make a statement, please allow us also The right to do so. This way is a new way
stella, thanks for your useless comment. now please continue with your stupid bullshit at syntagma.
@Stella:
“We DO want TO make a statement, please allow us also The right to do so.”
—
Yeah, tell that to the censorship department in here which deletes our comments.
@Nihil
you are such a walking 19th century stereotype of what a ‘revolutionary’ is- all burning eyes, enraged and frothing at the mouth, spitting contempt for anyone who doesn’t follow your ideas, and your ideas alone, hating anyone who contradicts you to the point of violence…
All PC with your ‘feminism’ and then you use mental health to undermine another’s argument. Shitty egotists like yourself are part of the problem, not the solution, and your impatience is a joke. You think any people not versed, or even interested, in political theory will accept your ideas overnight? You think people will suddenly ‘convert’ to your version of anarchy without going through a learning process first? Why not get among those you have such contempt for, share your ideas? But no, you’ll sit there and grumble about a social movement’s failings and do nothing to change it. Come to think of it, if you’re such a nihilist, why have any faith in debating with any of the ‘leftists’ and reformists’ here? (and you think these words are cutting insults!Ha ha!), what will you do if you can’t persuade us to your point of view? Nothing, nihil, that’s what, maybe smash up a phone booth with your empty rage? Wow.
The revolution will be made by the people, not vanguardist, ideological elitists. It will take forms beyond your or anyone elses imagination or control, it will create new forms and actions without sterile theory or impotent anger. Just watch, professional militants will be made redundant as they are swept aside by history.
@ Stella-
good for you, go sister! Don’t be intimidated by these insignificant nihilist fools, stay strong, find your own way, think for yourself, discover for yourself! Participate, Communicate, Self-realise! Anarchy is you and you are anarchy! In solidarity!
“…why have any faith in debating with any of the ‘leftists’ and reformists’ here? (and you think these words are cutting insults!Ha ha!), what will you do if you can’t persuade us to your point of view?”
@incubus: this must be a misunderstanding – i am not debating with complete idiots like you.
But Nihil, you have nothing to debate at all?! Surely you only speak through the hammer, the mollie and the bomb ? Debate with anyone is merely a bourgeois affectation, no?
Flee into the night and undertake the glorious task of kefi destruction (but make sure you’re home for your mother’s evening meal)!! Yiasus!
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