Galery

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The centre of its "operations" are neighbourhoods around Agios Pantelemonas and Attiki Square, which in recent years have become a kind of battleground between the forces of the extreme right and left parties and organizations for the rights of immigrants.

“Solidarity” only for Greeks

As explained by Ilias Kasidiaris, member of the Political Council of the organization and parliament member candidate from the Attica region, in recent years the way people perceive "Golden Dawn" seems to have changed. "We have not changed at all, but people have changed their attitude towards us. The crisis has acted as a means of awakening for many Greeks. In other words, with the decrease of income they began to understand what they had not understood for many years - that the system is corrupt and full of problems and acts to the detriment of the people and the nation", he said.

He believes that the change in opinion of the citizens towards “Golden Dawn” is due to the "social work" that the organization develops. "Over the last year we have created a Movement for Solidarity for the Greeks, through which we collect voluntary donations from Greek citizens and give them to the Greek families who are experiencing difficulties. This applies only to Greek citizens, not foreigners. This is the part in which we differ from similar activities of other organizations," he said.

On the other hand Kasidiaris believes that the political system is "more dangerous than the illegal immigrants. If the country was run by real Greeks, we would have had no problems with illegal immigrants. There would be none in the whole country. We would have been applying the laws and all illegal immigrants would have been kicked out of the country ", he said, adding that: "If we ever become Government, we will once again put mines along the border with Turkey." The fact that there is a global campaign to eliminate mines used against civilian populations, does not even interest him.

What do the citizens of Agios Pantelemonas say

The opinions of the citizens regarding "Golden Dawn" are quite different.  Residents in the area, both Greeks, immigrants and leftist organizations, are accusing “Golden Dawn” members of having imposed terror, mainly on those unfortunate enough to have darker skin or just get in their way.

As mentioned by Yiannis G., who works in a cafe in the area, "they move in groups and virtually control the region with the knowledge of the police. Especially when it gets dark, you see them circling around with black jackets and patrolling the streets. Very often we hear of attacks, on immigrants, who do not dare to go out at night.”

Saeed comes from Iraq and has been living here for eight years, working at a restaurant. “At night we are afraid to go out on the streets. I know many immigrants who have been severely beaten by members of the organization", he said. When asked why they have not turned to the police, he replied that even if they do, the most likely consequence would be to deport them from the country because they are here illegally.

On the other hand, Maria G., who works in a haberdashery near Attiki Square, says that the organization's presence has changed the balance of power in the region. "Until recently, it was the Greeks who did not dare to go out in the surrounding streets. If you have not lived here you would not understand what I’m telling you. Before I was shaking and expecting that every time the door opened an intruder would come in and rob me but now I feel more secure and peaceful", she explains.

When asked whether the fact that "Golden Dawn" is a far-right party scares her, she answers: “I do not care about their political views.  The Left could have come to get rid of immigrants as well. In that case I would have voted for them, just like in the last local elections I voted for "Golden Dawn". "