Greek communists storm the Acropolis in bailout protest
'Power to the workers' banners erected
as Greece debates bailout conditions
Helena Smith in Athens
guardian.co.uk,
Monday 27 June 2011 10.07
Protesters
from the Greek
Communist-affiliated trade union PAME have erected a huge banner in
front of the Parthenon at the Acropolis hill in Athens, complaining
about the effects of a second bailout for Greece. Photograph: Yiorgos
Karahalis/Reuters
In a dramatic start to a week dominated by one of the most
crucial parliamentary votes in modern Greek history, communist militants
stormed the Acropolis on Monday morning unfurling huge "power to the
workers" banners from the monument's ramparts.As tourists
ascended the hill to the fifth-century BC site, they were greeted by
gigantic protest banners proclaiming: "The peoples have the power and
never surrender. Organize – Counter attack.""We call upon working
people, youth, women to join our popular uprising," the All Workers
Militant Front (PAME), an adjunct of the powerful Greek communist party,
the KKE, declared in a statement."We will strengthen our
struggle with people from all over the world against capitalist
brutality in order for the brutal measures that bankrupt the people not
to be applied."Although described as a symbolic move, the stunt
reinforced the level of popular hostility to economic policies now seen
as crucial if Greece is to avoid a possibly disastrous default.Upping
the ante, unions have declared a 48-hour general strike starting on
Tuesday – the first two-day walkout since the collapse of military rule
and the return of democracy in 1974 – to coincide with parliament's
debate on the measures. Mass rallies have been scheduled in 65 towns
during the two days that Greek politicians will discuss the
belt-tightening policies."It will be two days that have never
seen before," said Stathis Anestis of the General Confederation of Greek
Workers, the country's largest labour force.The debate on the
austerity programme, which includes €28bn (£25bn) of fresh spending cuts
and higher taxes, begins on Monday with a vote expected on Wednesday.
Talks will also take place in Rome on Monday evening
between EU officials and European bankers over the vexed question of
the role of private creditors in a second rescue package for Greece.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/jun/27/greek-communists-storm-acropolis-bailout
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/jun/27/greek-communists-storm-acropolis-bailout
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