Text by anarchist Yiannis Dimitrakis in regards to the prisoners’ solidarity fund
During the last period, the larger part of the society of this country is experiencing an inconceivable attack in its extent and intensity by the mechanisms of repression and exploitation of human life and toil. The new-order socioeconomic plans are commanding the complete leveling of labour, social and political conquests for which continuous and fierce struggles had taken place in the past decades. The forming of social consent for the unobstructed advent of the supranational economic elites is enforced now through the rationale of the stick- the illusion of the carrot having now come to an end- coming down on the backs of the people and of zero tolerance against anyone who resists.
Naturally the anarchist milieu could not but be a receiver of this attack, a milieu who, battling on the front line of the defensive-attack against the looting and blackmailing assaults made by the class enemies of society, is also counting its own painful losses: the confrontation between the comrade and fighter Lambros and the police forces which cost him his life; the very serious- and nearly deadly- injury of the comrade and fighter Simos from a cop’s bullet that cost him his freedom; the passing of comrades into a state of captivity in the hands of the State, as a result of their clashes against the modern economic and authoritarian system, which have increased dramatically.
This is why, at this moment, I could not but be in total agreement with the attempt, as I find it very important – amongst many other things of course-, for the creation of a stable foundation of solidarity, a support structure, which will have the sole purpose of covering the immediate basic needs of comrades who are incarcerated in the greek correctional facilities; the crematoriums. From the moment someone accepts that those who pass through the prison gates belong to the revolutionary camp, and embrace an ethical code which can be recognized within a historical continuance that is either in accordance to, or carries inside it, elements referring to the continuous war against the overlords, the dominators of this world, then he/she can correctly consider these individuals as his/her comrades who are in a difficult and vulnerable position, and are in need of every form of support and solidarity that exists.
We are all aware that, on the one hand, we have many prisoners, and on the other, that in recent years our milieu is experiencing an upward course in the attendance of people in every kind of event or action it carries out; then automatically, one would think that the economic needs of the prisoners should no longer be undertaken solely within the confines of groups of friends, individuals or small collectives and initiatives, but by the wide and broad movement which is now under way.
Let us present some simple calculations to see the theory in practice. If it is assumed that there are 30 comrades (the number is not realistic, it is purely hypothetical) at the moment in the hands of the State and each one needs a minimum amount of 500 euro per month to be able to live in a dignified manner within prison, then in order to cover their economic needs for a whole year the amount of 180.000 euro would have to be raised!
If one, two, ten or one hundred people take on the task of getting this sum together it appears as something very difficult or even impossible. If, however, this real economic need is taken on by 3.000 or 4.000 people then individual contributions verge on 45 to 60 euros!
So the question towards comrades outside the prison walls is: could a first step be made towards a common, collective, consensual and coordinated action in order to cover the imprisoned comrades’ economic needs in regards to their living expenses? Can a greece-wide action be set up with immediate tangible results? Towards solving a very real problem can this milieu make a personal bet with its self where the minimum is required but the maximum will be contributed?
It is the age we live in which forces us to come together and act in common. It is the social clashes that are becoming more acute that demand the tightening of the cohesive bonds between us. It is the fearless gaze and the smile of our captured comrades that become also our own and must, even if just temporarily, grind the niches of our thought and character. Those comrades’blood which has painted with honor and courage the struggle for social liberation, equality and justice, has marked indelibly the starting point from which those who struggle, in the present, and in the future, must attack again and again against the enemy’s hordes.
HONOUR TO THE FIGHTER LAMBROS FOUNDAS
SOLIDARITY TO THE WANTED COMRADES MARIOS SEISIDIS AND GRIGORIS TSIRONIS
FREEDOM TO SIMOS SEISIDIS AND ARIS SIRINIDIS
SOLIDARITY TO THOSE COMRADES LIVING IN A STATE OF ILLEGALITY AVOIDING THE SETUP WARRANTS OF THE PROSECUTING AUTHORITIES
FREEDOM FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ARMED THEIR INSURGENT CONSCIOUSNESS
FREEDOM TO THE CAPTIVES OF THE NEW CLASS WAR
FREEDOM TO ALL IN PRISON
With comradely greetings
Y. Dimitrakis
18/05/2010
Domokos Prisons
Letter from Vaggelis Stathopoulos
Since the 10-04-2010 I find myself accused, together with comrades I know through my journey in social struggles, by the infamous anti-terrorist squad under a regime of terror and psychological warfare. My arrest took place in a cinematic fashion in the area of Victoria square by 10 to 15 persons with guns aimed while in fear of my any reaction EKAM (Special Antiterrorist Unit) forces from around the area were also mobilized. Armed to the teeth against one unarmed. Of course it wasn’t hard for me to immediately be aware of their presence due to the experience I have amassed over the years from the usual surveillance and harassment I had at my parents’ house in Nikaia as well as at the house I lived in, in Peukakia.
As a consequence I didn’t give much notice considering the event as one of the usual intimidation tactics used by the authorities with the aim of deterring the anti-establishment actions of people in struggle. A tactic used always by the repressive mechanisms of the dominant class, especially in times of social upheaval. Of course I didn’t know what the authorities had yet again cooked up in order to frame me. I have found myself on numerous occasions, as many other comrades have as well, in the dock of ridiculous courts by the humanoids of power without any evidence against me or with fabricated and orchestrated accusations. In all these cases I have been acquitted since even the cops couldn’t support their own tales. I remained accused pending trial and under constant control from the authorities for seven whole years. Seven years of continuous surveillance in an attempt to target my action criminalizing my personal relationships, my ideas and my political viewpoint which at times I have expressed loud and clear. And here it is one more time!
I am an anarchist and I struggle with all my powers for the social revolution.
Continuing with the events around my arrest, soon after my acquaintance with the “tough” guys of the anti-terrorist squad I was taken to the “stupidity kitchen” the 12th floor of Police Headquarters, there were you enter one office for an ID verification and you leave from the other one next door with fabricated serious charges. So these “tough” guys, having been taught obviously by their colleagues, torturers during the dictatorship, started beating me and the other comrades while we were handcuffed with their swearing and threatening keeping the beat. Following this I experienced a simple processing from the inquisitors and prosecutors of the orchestrations set up by the cops and that’s how my life got wrapped up in a piece of official paper, how my case got tied up tight and I now find myself in prison awaiting trial at Trikala. Of course the choice of Wing E’ for my “stay” here is not at all coincidental, as it is the most controlled wing. I don’t think I even need to mention with precision the hideous living conditions in these “modern” hellholes of democracy. It is enough to say that water cuts are a more than usual occurrence (compliments to Themis Construction [Construction company belonging to the Ministry of Justice and in charge of building prisons])!!!
Power with the mass media as an ally uses the standard tactic of slander and criminalization of social struggles and of personal relations of people in struggle. It is not the first time something like this has happened but it is the first time I had to personally deal with this incredible brutality which has as an aim to defame my life, throwing piles of mud on myself and my acts as well as on my comrades, my friends and my family and the wider subversive movement in which I actively take part. In this attempt my home is characterized and named as a safe-house and a wattle fence, which by the way I found there when I rented the house, was enough to transform my personal space into a dangerous base of operations. That nothing was found in this house is probably of no importance! The continuous false leaks and the vulgar disinformation came to be added to the whole cannibalism taking place, revealing yet again the mechanisms’ and journalists’ vindictive craze against any one who resists. And this is only one version of the organized violence carried out by the mechanisms of power and of the legal crimes perpetrated by the state and the bosses against our lives.
Of course the criminalization of struggles and of those who negate the status quo is not something new or unusual. Those who struggle know this well by now. Besides, even if someone is arrested for postering they are prosecuted for littering rather than their ideas and subversive words which in reality constitute the essence of their prosecution. Against the fable of legality and the false boundaries of innocence or guilt, I declare myself an enemy of the regime and an unrepentant adversary of the state and capital.
Besides, my statement to the inquisitor that “I don’t denounce any form of struggle against the state and power” is the only reason I am in prison and not their unfounded bill of indictment. If they expected statements of conformity to the law and of repentance from me they did not calculate well. In my life I have not learned to grovel left and right as a denouncer, a snitch and a collaborator, I have not learned to betray friends and comrades, to abandon them, to accuse and denounce them in front of my prosecutors in order to save myself. In my life I have learned to hold my head up high, to live with pride and dignity and to not grovel even if there’s a price to pay. If there are some people that have learned to live groveling, I am truly ashamed on their behalf.
At this time, when the bankrupt Greek state under the umbrella of the IMF is attempting to terrorize and repress every subversive project in fear of the Decembers’ coming it is our duty to fight in order to overthrow it in its totality.
I will continue to fight against the policing and control over our lives and for the destruction of prisons. For social revolution and for freedom.
Because in this world freedom is not handed out to you, you have to claim her through battles and win her.
STATE AND CAPITAL ARE THE TERRORISTS, CRIMINALS AND THIEVES
HONOUR TO THE URBAN GUERILLA LAMBROS FOUNDAS
FREEDOM TO ALL THE COMRADES IN PRISON FOR THEIR SUBVERSIVE ACTIONS
Vaggelis Stathopoulos
Trikala Prisons
10-5-2010