Statements issued by the Greek Real Democracy website (unofficial translation from the Greek):
They Came Like Thieves in the Night
We Are The Square And We Are Everywhere
Gathering at Syntagma Square at 6:00 o'clock.
Like thieves, fearful of the public humiliation and outcry, the police forces entered the square at 4 am.
The district attorney and work crews of the Municipality of Athens invaded the square, and began a wholesale destruction and removal of tents and the infrastructure of the various work groups of the square. They then took 13 people into custody from which 8 are now considered arrests.
We condemn the ban on communication between lawyers and those held at the police station in Omonoia. (For this reason, there is no clear picture of the number of arrestees or who they are).
Activists who were present, in resistance to the annihilation of the square, saved what material they could and took videos of what was happening, scenes which make plain that we are living under a cowardly democracy and a justice system that functions on the basis of the law of the jungle.
Let them realise the obvious truth:
The square is all of us, thousands of ordinary people who stand up to a cynical, anti-popular, anti-democratic, corrupt economic and political status quo. A status quo that, in desperation, facing its own failure, is trying to save itself in any way possible.
We will not become its victims.
We do not fear, we do not submit.
We inform them that they are fooling themselves if they think that "cleansing" and making a fortress of Syntagma Square, they will protect themselves. There are tens of squares now all over Athens, with their own general assemblies, hundreds of squares all over Greece. We are in every neighborhood, along with every citizen of this country.
We are the millions of society set against a handful of corrupt and subservient minority who try to pretend they have strength by using the police, mercenaries of the power elite.
We are everywhere.
Whatever they do they cannot makes us leave. The streets and the squares, like jobs, productive structures, the wealth of this country and our rights belong to us. They are not for sale. We will continue to demand their return to the people.
We have said it before and we say it again:
We will not leave until they are gone.
Everyone at Syntagma Square today Saturday, 30th of July at 6 p.m.
The terrorism of this dictatorial goverment, the IMF and the Memorandum, shall not pass.
You do not scare us. You infuriate us.
We continue the fight peacefully, with determination and creativity.
Video of the eviction:
Real-Democracy - We do not retreat! Not one step or one dream back!
Some time ago we stepped outside. We had made up our minds! Everyone holding hands. Looking skyward with a clear gaze. With dreams, hopes and a smile from each one of us big enough to spare for the person next to us! We had no plans! We didn't organise something! We simply stepped outside! From that day on we are all together. Some are seated, some standing, but always together at the People's Assemblies in all the public squares throughout Greece! From one end of the country to another!
Decisions, resolutions, hands raised, eyes moist with tears! Each one of us experiences a shiver when coming to speak before the assembly! Democracy and egalitarianism! A dream comes true for all of us! Finally, we are making progress! With what we always wanted! For ourselves, for those next to us, for our children! We gather every day - men, women and children of eavery age! We discuss and we laugh! At last, we are changing as humans! We don't realise it but it is slowly and steadily happening inside us. At first it is a stream. Then, slowly, it becomes a torrent! And the changes are already apparent! Everything changes! Isn't that wonderful, grand, but, most of all, human?
Yesterday, the authorities, as latter day Ephialtes', jealous of the justice, the egalitarianism, the freedom and the democracy of Syntagma Square, moved in and "imposed order" on lifeless objects! Yes, they managed to evict tents, chairs and tables! A great accomplishment they can relate to their children and grandchildren with pride! Our hip politicians had another idea that left us speechless! The decision was a demonstration of ethos and democracy! Such decisions serve as guides for our children! We are so grateful to you! You have no idea how much good you did us. And you do not infuriate us. Certainly not. You merely make us smile more because you have taken off your own masks. In the end you don't need any assistance! You are truly magnificent! But there is something we must tell you! If you care to read it. Okay, so you evicted a few tents and small tables. But what about us? You didn't get rid of us! How can you get rid of a dream, a vision, hope? It doesn't look like a walk in the park any more, does it? We gave you food for thought! Did we say thought? That is something lacking from you! We keep forgetting, you guys in parliament! We have one thing to say to you. The Square is inside us! We are not retreating a single step backward!
So we do not retreat! Not one step back! Not one thought or dream back! All of us will be there every day! Because we simply don't want you! You do not offer what we want! You have managed to do to this country the same thing Ephialtes did. You betrayed us! You betrayed our dreams and, most of all, yourselves. But we the people are here to correct all that! Enough. Every day we will shout it in every public square! With discussions, laughter, singing, dancing, decisions and resolutions! And you respond with violence, censorship and by restraining freedom! But you forget we are now A L L together! We will remain across the street from you. Silently looking at you with a gaze that asks: "What have we done for you to step on us? What have we done for you to betray us? What have we done for you to cut off our children's future?" What is there for you to say in response? Without experts in communication, pundits and a bunch of people behind you, you are incapable of saying a simple 'good morning'! You are simply made of wood. Lifeless! In any case we no longer seek answers! We've had enough!
And so, we will be there TODAY and EVERY DAY! To stress with our presence that you now have an adversary! The people! Who will be your final judge! The people you gassed on the 28th and 29th of June. Gas all you want! More chemicals and violence! We can take it! After all we put up with you all these years! But we will respond to you with ethos! With resolutions, songs, merriment and lots of good morning calls. Because above all we respect each other! There is another word that has been lost in the dark labyrinth of your Parliament! Like scrupulousness and diligence, shame, and many other 'inconsequential terms you ignore! However, we are familiar with, and abide by, them!
We invite all the people to be ALL together and out of doors each hour of every day! We blong to EACH OTHER! Because that is the only place we deserve to belong! We invite you to stand opposite them! Your participation and presence in our public squares makes us all stronger! Not in terms of hands but in decisions and in thoughts for new ideas! Let's all finally step outside to abolish the wooden mindset!
They Came Like Thieves in the Night
We Are The Square And We Are Everywhere
Gathering at Syntagma Square at 6:00 o'clock.
Like thieves, fearful of the public humiliation and outcry, the police forces entered the square at 4 am.
The district attorney and work crews of the Municipality of Athens invaded the square, and began a wholesale destruction and removal of tents and the infrastructure of the various work groups of the square. They then took 13 people into custody from which 8 are now considered arrests.
We condemn the ban on communication between lawyers and those held at the police station in Omonoia. (For this reason, there is no clear picture of the number of arrestees or who they are).
Activists who were present, in resistance to the annihilation of the square, saved what material they could and took videos of what was happening, scenes which make plain that we are living under a cowardly democracy and a justice system that functions on the basis of the law of the jungle.
Let them realise the obvious truth:
The square is all of us, thousands of ordinary people who stand up to a cynical, anti-popular, anti-democratic, corrupt economic and political status quo. A status quo that, in desperation, facing its own failure, is trying to save itself in any way possible.
We will not become its victims.
We do not fear, we do not submit.
We inform them that they are fooling themselves if they think that "cleansing" and making a fortress of Syntagma Square, they will protect themselves. There are tens of squares now all over Athens, with their own general assemblies, hundreds of squares all over Greece. We are in every neighborhood, along with every citizen of this country.
We are the millions of society set against a handful of corrupt and subservient minority who try to pretend they have strength by using the police, mercenaries of the power elite.
We are everywhere.
Whatever they do they cannot makes us leave. The streets and the squares, like jobs, productive structures, the wealth of this country and our rights belong to us. They are not for sale. We will continue to demand their return to the people.
We have said it before and we say it again:
We will not leave until they are gone.
Everyone at Syntagma Square today Saturday, 30th of July at 6 p.m.
The terrorism of this dictatorial goverment, the IMF and the Memorandum, shall not pass.
You do not scare us. You infuriate us.
We continue the fight peacefully, with determination and creativity.
Video of the eviction:
Real-Democracy - We do not retreat! Not one step or one dream back!
Some time ago we stepped outside. We had made up our minds! Everyone holding hands. Looking skyward with a clear gaze. With dreams, hopes and a smile from each one of us big enough to spare for the person next to us! We had no plans! We didn't organise something! We simply stepped outside! From that day on we are all together. Some are seated, some standing, but always together at the People's Assemblies in all the public squares throughout Greece! From one end of the country to another!
Decisions, resolutions, hands raised, eyes moist with tears! Each one of us experiences a shiver when coming to speak before the assembly! Democracy and egalitarianism! A dream comes true for all of us! Finally, we are making progress! With what we always wanted! For ourselves, for those next to us, for our children! We gather every day - men, women and children of eavery age! We discuss and we laugh! At last, we are changing as humans! We don't realise it but it is slowly and steadily happening inside us. At first it is a stream. Then, slowly, it becomes a torrent! And the changes are already apparent! Everything changes! Isn't that wonderful, grand, but, most of all, human?
Yesterday, the authorities, as latter day Ephialtes', jealous of the justice, the egalitarianism, the freedom and the democracy of Syntagma Square, moved in and "imposed order" on lifeless objects! Yes, they managed to evict tents, chairs and tables! A great accomplishment they can relate to their children and grandchildren with pride! Our hip politicians had another idea that left us speechless! The decision was a demonstration of ethos and democracy! Such decisions serve as guides for our children! We are so grateful to you! You have no idea how much good you did us. And you do not infuriate us. Certainly not. You merely make us smile more because you have taken off your own masks. In the end you don't need any assistance! You are truly magnificent! But there is something we must tell you! If you care to read it. Okay, so you evicted a few tents and small tables. But what about us? You didn't get rid of us! How can you get rid of a dream, a vision, hope? It doesn't look like a walk in the park any more, does it? We gave you food for thought! Did we say thought? That is something lacking from you! We keep forgetting, you guys in parliament! We have one thing to say to you. The Square is inside us! We are not retreating a single step backward!
So we do not retreat! Not one step back! Not one thought or dream back! All of us will be there every day! Because we simply don't want you! You do not offer what we want! You have managed to do to this country the same thing Ephialtes did. You betrayed us! You betrayed our dreams and, most of all, yourselves. But we the people are here to correct all that! Enough. Every day we will shout it in every public square! With discussions, laughter, singing, dancing, decisions and resolutions! And you respond with violence, censorship and by restraining freedom! But you forget we are now A L L together! We will remain across the street from you. Silently looking at you with a gaze that asks: "What have we done for you to step on us? What have we done for you to betray us? What have we done for you to cut off our children's future?" What is there for you to say in response? Without experts in communication, pundits and a bunch of people behind you, you are incapable of saying a simple 'good morning'! You are simply made of wood. Lifeless! In any case we no longer seek answers! We've had enough!
And so, we will be there TODAY and EVERY DAY! To stress with our presence that you now have an adversary! The people! Who will be your final judge! The people you gassed on the 28th and 29th of June. Gas all you want! More chemicals and violence! We can take it! After all we put up with you all these years! But we will respond to you with ethos! With resolutions, songs, merriment and lots of good morning calls. Because above all we respect each other! There is another word that has been lost in the dark labyrinth of your Parliament! Like scrupulousness and diligence, shame, and many other 'inconsequential terms you ignore! However, we are familiar with, and abide by, them!
We invite all the people to be ALL together and out of doors each hour of every day! We blong to EACH OTHER! Because that is the only place we deserve to belong! We invite you to stand opposite them! Your participation and presence in our public squares makes us all stronger! Not in terms of hands but in decisions and in thoughts for new ideas! Let's all finally step outside to abolish the wooden mindset!
