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Fewer "discontented" on the square in front of the Greek Parliament

09 June 2011 / 14:06:36  GRReporter
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There was the news on the Internet 15 days ago that the youth protesting in Spain had a slogan, saying: "Keep quiet so as not to awaken the Greeks." There was an immediate response in Athens and Thessaloniki. On the same afternoon, thousands of citizens gathered on Syntagma Square in front of the Parliament and the White Tower in Thessaloniki to express their dissatisfaction with the economic measures of the government.

A report appeared in the official press after several days according to which the organizers of the protests in Madrid said that they had never had a poster with such content. Greece has been living already in the rhythm of daily peaceful protests of the local "discontented."

The general feeling in the early days was enthusiasm. Thousands of people filled the square in front of the Greek Parliament. "Thieves!", "Get the Memorandum and get out of here", "We found a way to repay the debt – we will make salami from Pangalos and sell it", and many similar expressions are only a small part of the slogans that Greeks from different age groups chanted today in front of the Parliament. There were a plenty of expressions against the IMF, the creditors of Greece, the government in particular and the political system in general. A poster presented it as "The Grand Circus of the Greek Parliament". Even a symbolic gallows was built on the square and a number of posters predicted that the protest would force the government to leave the country with helicopters in one night as happened in Argentina. Several women were beating empty pots with wooden spoons while the participants in front of the Parliament were cursing the politicians in the typical Greek way with open palms.

The protest today began shortly after 6 pm, when a motor procession of about 250 motorcyclists appeared on the boulevard in front of Syntagma Square. The few citizens there, who were crying enthusiastically, gave them a rousing welcome. One of the organizers told GRReporter that the initiative was organized on Facebook. "Some of the motorcyclists are members of motor clubs; others joined through motor sports sites. We came here to support the "discontented" and to show that we are against the government policy too."

Having stood on the already blocked boulevard the motorcyclists pulled out and a group of youths who began shouting the slogans already described took their place. Gradually, other citizens joined them, but their total number did not exceed 500 people.
 
The elderly, many of whom had brought their grandchildren with them, were standing aside and discussed the situation in Greece in a very lively manner. "There is nothing to talk about! They should go! They were stealing for years and made the country end up in this situation. They reduced my pension, the money is not enough to cover my basic needs for food and medicines. What bothers me most, however, is what future expects the young people," said Mr. Nikos. His interlocutors were even certain that the medium-term economic program of the government will not be voted and, therefore, there is no way George Papandreou to avoid elections.

The 27-year-old Tonya is a hairdresser. She said she comes to Syntagma whenever she can to express her dissatisfaction with the low wages for young people. "The change will come from the people. If we all unite, as we have already, things will gradually change."

A camp was built in the gardens on Syntagma Square. There, various civic groups that claim to be non-partisan, but others claim they are supporters of the extreme left, organize various activities such as theatre performances, children's animation and exhibitions. An outdoors 'people' meeting is held opposite them every night and the participants are free to present their views and the others to discuss them. All these groups are united by the demand of direct democracy.

Among this colourful palette of people, posters and tents immigrants are walking around and selling lasers. Retailers are offering the "discontented" the Greek national flag, plastic whistles, roasted corn and nuts, and other "retailers" selling hand-made bracelets joined them.

Not more than three thousand people gathered on Syntagma on the 15th day of the protest. Some chanted, others supported the petition for a referendum to repeal the Memorandum of financial support, third were there because they believe their presence is a matter of duty. The participation of tens of thousands of people last Sunday was impressive, but fewer citizens take part in the daily protests.

Today Los Indignados lifted the blockade of the Puerta del Sol in Spain. Will the Greek "discontented" follow them? Many of them state they would stay on Syntagma until their requests are fulfilled. Unlike Spain, however, Greek protesters are not united by common goals and not a few are the commentators who believe that the movement of the "discontented" is very close to its sunset.

 

Tags: SocietyProtestDiscontentedSyntagmaSlogansPoliticiansParticipants
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