An international solidarity campaign of hope against fear
Dear All
The forthcoming elections in Greece promise a hopeful New Year start. The ‘panic’ over the weakest link named Greece haunts once more the European (and not only) elites. Even more so, as the possibility for a break with the Troika regime and austerity in Greece seems more viable than ever.
As soon as the collapse of the pro-Troika (conservatives and social-democrats) coalition government appeared, few weeks ago, the threats and blackmails against the Greek people started again. The reassurement that the EU (and global) markets are protected by the effects of a change in Greece, do not suffice to ease the political threat such a change signals for the dominant status quo. The rhetoric of “success story” and “GRecovery” were immediately substituted by direct interventions and “alarming” statements. Financial and political officials re-launched the scenario of a “GRexit” and of a possible (Troika-driven) bank-run, as well as suggestions to the Greek electorate to behave within the framework of the bailout policies (W. Schäuble) by preferring (voting) the familiar faces of the pro-Troika parties (P.Moscovici). Fear is changing sides but the conflict is expected long and fierce.
In the context of crisis, Greece has been used as the testing ground for the deepening of neoliberal restructuring and austerity regime throughout Europe. But also Greece has emerged as a paradigm of resistance. The multiform and protracted struggles of its people both obstructed the implementation of such policies and gave life to new forms of grass-root organizations, solidarity and social participation. These efforts were met with the generous mobilization of movements around the world that have shown their persistent solidarity. This enabled the Greek society to stand up with dignity against the social catastrophy that brought it to the point of humanitarian crisis, and to emerge as lethal threat to the Troika regime, sending a message all-over Europe. Those responsible for the current situation know it only too well, and do their best, in unison, to save their interests by holding on to power by any means.
By the same token the elections of the 25th January will not just decide the future Greek government, neither can be fought in Greece alone. An anti-Troika, anti-austerity victory in Greece opens up the potential for an overturn of the neoliberal domination in EU, and beyond. Thus the current elections consist a fight of all the European people, of all the movements that resist and oppose any aspect of a neoliberal, anti-social and undemocratic Europe.
Therefore we urge for a swarm like political campaign in support of a change in Greece. A multiform campaign that informs the public opinion in each country about the real situation that bailouts and austerity have created in Greece, and about what actually is at stakes in the forthcoming elections for the entire continent. A campaign that counters the dominant misinformation and spread of fear, a campaign that pressurizes all those responsible for the appalling situation in Greece and throughout Europe. A campaign that sends a message of hope and change, against the paralyzing rhetoric of fear and poverty. Let’s make the overthrow of austerity and Troika in Greece more than a wish for 2015. Let’s make the next year, a year of change in Europe starting from Greece.
Happy and Subversive New Year
Solidarity for All
What one can do
Join the Solidarity4All international fb page and turn it into an international solidarity info-hub:
https://www.facebook.com/sol4all
– We will feed it with updates on the Greek situation and movement, and
– We want you to share your news about any, smaller or bigger, solidarity actions outside Greece, so
– We can create a meeting space for common campaigning.
We begin with the “we start from Greece – we change Europe” campaign. This is a social media campaign involving groups and individuals around Europe in solidarity with the resistance in Greece and also Podemos circles. It aims to include everyone who wants to see a change in Greece and it’s a people-powered campaign, so we need all and each one of you to join.
Take part in this European-wide important elections by organizing a “Vote for Change” solidarity action on the weekend Friday 16 – Sunday 18, just one week before the Greek elections. Target a Greek or EU institution (embassies, Hellenic or Greek tourism centres, ECB, European and big bank headquarters), and show your resistance to financial terror of blackmails, to austerity and the Troika, mobilizing for hope and real democracy. Do not forget to inform our international fb page with your actions, so it can publicized throughout Greece and Europe.
Those active in the German speaking world are also encouraged to use the solidarity fb page Griechenland Entscheidet (Greece Decides),
https://www.facebook.com/griechenlandentscheidet?fref=nf
You can also promote the page of the crowd-funding initiative of Greek youth in order to raise money for coming to Greece and voting for change. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/a-flight-for-democracy
Next Tuesday an english-language website called www.analyzegreece.gr will be launched aiming to feed the international public with more thorough analyses on the Greek politics and the left.