On March 22nd, 2012, outside Athens University of Economics and Business (ASOEE) a PA’s gathering was held by nearly 100 immigrant street vendors and their supporters. Several people among those who are in solidarity with peddlers working in the neighbourhood, are university students that affiliate themselves with the Self-managed Hangout of ASOEE.
The traffic in front of the university was blocked for a while, and a text written by the immigrants (see below) was shared out to passersby, drivers in cars and passengers in buses and trolleybuses. The intervention lasted about two hours. A joint assembly of immigrants and supporters followed regarding the continuation of such solidarity actions.
The next day, 5–6 fascists attacked immigrants outside ASOEE and injured a street vendor, but other immigrants counter-attacked the scum, forcing fascists to run away. Police squads appeared immediately at the place, confirming once again that neo-Nazi propaganda and assaults are assisted by the state security forces. From late November 2011 the repression and police state (not ‘policing’) has been intensified in the area surrounding this faculty.
It must be noted that the laws of the Greek State do not allow immigrants from countries outside the EU to practice legally the profession of a retailer. So, although most of them have valid entry documents, they become street vendors without having the corresponding license from the municipality, since they cannot easily find another job.
Here’s the immigrants’ text (which also circulated in a similar intervention that took place in Victoria Square a few days ago):
First of all, we would like to salute all those who help us live in freedom in Greece. For we experience very difficult conditions, with the police on one side and the fascists on the other side, who chase after us each and every moment. We are faced with fascists whenever we find ourselves out in the street. The same stands with the police, who torture us and take our money without any difficulty whatsoever. We don’t know what to do anymore; we are afraid and suffering. All immigrants are very scared of this situation.
Every day, we are confronted with an aggressive racism from one part of the society and mainly the police. The policemen invade our homes and take our cash and belongings. The fascists and the police may persecute immigrants at any time. Especially at night, they walk around the neighbourhoods searching for immigrants, in order to beat them up. Most often, even though they carry a civil identity card, they present themselves as police officers asking for our papers, and after they tear our documents they start to beat us. Every time this happens, we really cannot tell if we are threatened and assaulted by fascists or policemen.
For economic and war-based reasons, we were forced to leave our countries and came to live in Europe, more particularly in Greece, in order to live with dignity, peace and freedom. We are merely involved in petty trade, wandering the streets. This activity allows us to pay the rent, our food, etc.
That’s why we ask the society and the Greek authorities to let us live free, with dignity and respect. Lastly, big thanks to everyone who understands us and stands in solidarity with us.
DOWN WITH FASCISM AND POLICE VIOLENCE
Today, March 27th, another intervention was realized outside ASOEE in solidarity with immigrants, under the stifling pressure and strong presence of police units.