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The images of Xrisi Avgi (the Golden Dawn)

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Page 1: Presentation Golden Dawn Blog

The images of Xrisi Avgi (the Golden Dawn)

Page 2: Presentation Golden Dawn Blog

Table of contents

A brief history of Xrisi Avgi How Xrisi Avgi sees itself How Xrisi Argi is seen by the world How Xrisi Avgi is seen by Greek citizens How Xrisi Avgi is seen by the (illegal) immigrants How Xrisi Avgi is seen by several authorities and

organisations Conclusion

Page 3: Presentation Golden Dawn Blog

A brief history of Xrisi Avgi

As documentary producer, Konstantinos Georgousis, quotes: “In June 2012, the far-right Greek political party Golden Dawn came from nowhere to win seven percent of the parliamentary vote. The intense economic crisis and rising unemployment have led to increasing numbers of Greek voters coming to view nationalist ideas as a possible solution to their problems. The party is frequently connected with neo-Nazism and has been accused of glorifying Hitler.”

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Though, according to instructor at the University of Sussex, Dimitris Dalakoglou, this is not the whole story. Indeed, last year (2012) they gained more and more power, but according to Dalakoglou this extreme right-wing party started its march already in the 1990s – Macedonia

Background

The party was established in December 1980. In 1992 they developed their program. In June 1993 they took part in the elections for the European Parliament. From 1993-2008 they did not win any votes, because Greek citizens were satisfied with the existing political situation. In 2008 – economic crisis + foreigners – they grew to almost 7% in the Parliamentary elections.

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How Xrisi Avgi sees itself

“We believe in nationalism.”They believe they are a nationalistic movement and see themselves as “fighters” of the People´s Nationalistic Movement.

They believe their actions are legitimized by their ideology which stands for saving the Greek nation, which is under threat

As “pure Greeks”, we are not willing to sell the country to foreign interests. They believe in an 'independent Greek society'

“We are not fascists depending on how they (the others) define fascists”

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“Our symbols and colors have nothing to do with Germany or Italy and the regimes of the interwar period. Our colour is kianoun (light blue). Politically, white, black and red (revolution, blood, race or tribe) are used for the party, because they used to be the colours of the revolution in 1821.”

They believe they are ideologists and conscious political soldiers of a movement with a clear worldview, bio-theory and ideology

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How Xrisi Avgi is seen by the world

“Neo-Nazi” party “The Cleaners”

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Xrisi Avgi as a 'Neo-Nazi' Party

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– British newspaper The Guardian:“The Golden Dawn threatens hospital raids against immigrants in Greece. The situation in the hospitals within Greece is critical. Due to the lack of money, medical staff, reception facilities, medical equipment etc. the Golden Dawn began to take extreme measures, which are to the detriment of immigrants.”

– American magazine The new Republic: “The Terrifying Rise of Greece’s Nazi Party. […] On the streets of Greece, it’s now common knowledge among immigrants that black clothes are the unofficial uniform of Golden Dawn, or Chrysi Avgi—a kind of cross between Hezbollah and the Tea Party. Since 2008, Golden Dawn supporters have assaulted immigrants with brass knuckles, knives, and batons. There have been nearly 500 attacks this year (2012) alone, according to the Migrant Workers Association [...]

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– Canadian media source Nationalpost.com: “Neo-Nazi party has election breakthrough in Greece, leader warns ‘time for fear has come!’”

– Israel’s English-language daily website The Jerusalem Post: “Belgium: ‘Greek Nazi party problematic.” In an interview with Joods Actueel, Belgium’s leading Jewish publication, Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said the party’s electoral success was a cause for concern. “This is not just a rightist party – it’s actually a Nazi party,” he said.

– Nederlands left/wing site Socialisme.nu: “Nazi-partij Gouden Dageraad: ‘Na de immigranten zijn jullie (buitenlanders, homo’s en gehandicapten) aan de beurt.”

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– French daily newspaper Midi Libre:”Législatives en Grèce : un parti néo-nazi accède au Parlement” (Legislation in Greece: a neo-Nazi party gains access to Parliament).”

– German online weekly news magazine Spiegel.de:”[...] Die Neonazi-Partei Chrysi Avgi, auf Deutsch "Goldene Morgenröte", heizt die fremdenfeindliche Stimmung an. Wer sich ihr entgegenstellt, wird bedroht - wie die Journalistin Xenia Kounalaki aus eigener Erfahrung weiß” ([…] The neo-Nazi party Chrysi Avgi, in English "Golden Dawn", fuelling the xenophobic sentiment. Anyone who opposes it, is threatened - as the journalist Xenia Kounalaki knows from experience).

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“The cleaners”

"Greece for the Greeks" on the square to ward off roaming "illegals"

Documentary by Konstantinos Georgousis (many Greeks call Golden Dawn “the cleaners”.

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How Xrisi Avgi is seen by Greek citizens

Counterparts of Xrisi Avgi Supporters Xrisi Avgi

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Counterparts Xrisi Avgi

A Greek individual with a big construction company.

He is in contact with immigrants, because many immigrants are working for their family company. These immigrants fill the jobs that no Greek citizen wants to do

According to him, there is a lot of racism within Greece. The migrants do not realise the situation they are coming into. For them,Greece is the first country of entry into Europe. Many of them are from Africa or Morocco and it is not easy for them to adapt. As neighbours,the Albanians could adapt more easily.

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As he notes, Greece is a very difficult place for immigrants to begin a new life. The language is difficult to learn and it is a conservative society that is not openminded. “We are really conservative towards migrants.”

“The immigrants are a blessing and a curse. They can be a help and do not only cause problems!”

“Especially at night, I am not going to the city center of Athens (Omonia, Monesteraki etc.) anymore. It became really dangerous for a woman to walk there alone. The Greek people are blaming the immigrants, but they should blame the state.”

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Two middle aged Greek men “We are a nation of 11 million people with the same

number of foreigners on top of this.” “Voting Golden Dawn is a vote of punishment.” “The Greek people are fascist-minded, not so much

politically-minded.” “Illegal migrants are here, because the EU funds

them.” “Migrants are a tool for the state to reduce wages.” “Golden Dawn has no ideology.” “The political outer flanks are destroying Greece.”

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Supporter Xrisi Avgi (woman aged 25)

“Migrants are a big problem in Greece! We have legal and illegal immigrants. As a Greek citizen I don't have problems with those who are legal, but I DO have problems with those who are illegal. It is them that are creating the problems here in Greece, they are more than we can bear!”

Those who have families here, who have a job, and are legal, those are fine, but illegals should be thrown into the sea or should be deported back to their countries, the same way they came here!”

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View on Golden Dawn

“The Golden Dawn helps us with the illegal immigrants. Right now for us as Greek citizens it is very difficult to find a job and there is not enough space for the immigrants to be here. The immigrants are dangerous, they steal, they kill and the Golden Dawn is just helping us with this, by cleaning various places in the city.”

She votes Golden Dawn, because ‘the other parties are unable to speak the truth for even 1 percent, and they are manipulated by the European Union’.

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Next time, she will not vote Golden Dawn, because they don't mention anything about the economic crisis and what solutions as a party they think to present to Greek citizens.

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Table of contents (2)

A brief history of Xrisi Avgi How Xrisi Avgi seen by itself How Xrisi Argi is seen by the world How Xrisi Avgi is seen by Greek citizens How Xrisi Avgi is seen by the (illegal) immigrants How Xrisi Avgi is seen by several authorities and

organisations Conclusion

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How Xrisi Avgi is seen by the (illegal) immigrants

Tanzanians Somalians

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Xrisi Avgi as seen by Tanzanians

Interview with K.

“Although our community has been attacked twice by Xrisi Avgi, I have to tell you a very important story, which makes you understand why I believe Greek people are very kind and good people, which I still and will always believe!”

(This has to do with his experience in Argos, Greece)

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As many other Tanzanians, K. left his native country in the 1990s in order to travel around the world as a sailor. In 1991, he became stranded in Athens.

His life before and now:

From working at a nursery school in Tanzania to studying law / international relationships in Cairo, to orange picker on a farm in Argos, Greece, to secretary of the Tanzanian community in Athens.

“As an orange picker in orange gardens in Argos, Greeks were very very friendly, helped us wherever, and gave us food and drinks, while we were working.They were good to us, cared about us!”

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Tanzanian community established between 1999 – 2002 & legalised in 2002 by the Greek state.

Twice attacked by Xrisi Avgi

25th of September 2012 26th of October 2012

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Attack 25th of September 2012 Tanzanian community was located in the center of

Athens. It was a place were many foreigners (not only Tanzanian people) came together to enjoy an evening together, watching football etc.

24th of September: 40 people stood outside in front of the community’s building. Two women came in and said: “ You have to close the place!”

Reason: Many bars around the neighborhood with loud music, bringing nuisance etc.

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Conversation between the two women of Xrisi Avgi and K.:

K: “This is a legal community, not a bar!” XA:”We are a committee of residents!”

K: showed them the legal papers of the community, whereafter the two ladies and the other 40 people outside, left.

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Attack 25th of September

“While 10 Tanzanians were sitting in the building of the community watching television. At about 01:00 am, 80-100 people suddenly came to the building and started breaking into the main entrance door! The Tanzanians were afraid and called the police. The police came and escorted them five blocks away from there, where they could take a taxi. None of those breaking down the building, including everything inside, got arrested!” (K.)

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Interesting to note, according to K.

“When the police came, all the people kept on standing outside. Normally if you do something wrong, like breaking into someone else’s building, you would be afraid the police would arrest you. So the question is: Why did none of these people start running or hiding???”

And: “Why did the police not arrest anyone for this crime?”

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Attack 26th of October

“Fortunately nobody was in the building & the building was already empty due to the previous attack when, at approximately 21:00 pm, people threw some sort of 'bomb' into the building. The anti-terrorist police came. Again nobody got arrested!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZMwVKC2tW0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGrRiijTp5E

The whole case is now in the hands of refugee lawyer

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K.: “In the meantime, we hope in the future to publish a lot regarding Xrisi Avgi and their actions, in the hope that they will slowly slowly start feeling fear!”

“It is not due to the economic crisis, but due to the misinformation the Greek people receive from the media, which allows for such actions and for the Golden Dawn to grow in percentages!”

“The media say things people like to hear, so any bad thing done by a foreigner becomes a major issue. As a result, Greek people start hating foreigners and believe they steal and kill.”

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Xrisi Avgi as seen by Somalians

No specific views about Xrisi Avgi Reason: the short duration of their stay in Athens S., a 27-year old Somalian left his home country

Somalia approximately nine months ago, because of the ongoing civil war that started in 1991. His own life was at risk.

His former life in Somalia: He graduated in public administration and spent his days as a social worker, entertaining young children by playing football etc.

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“ If you don't leave, we will just kill you!”

Al Shabaab, a terrorist organisation told him this, because they believed Said harmed the children by letting them play football. Instead, these children should do their duty as children soldiers, according to them.

His journey

With a faked passport and document papers, given by a friend living in Syria, he travelled on foot to Syria. Once there, this friend was nowhere to be found. Said: “I don't blame him! He was probably afraid of the Syrians due to the fact that he gave me his passport and documents! I tried to contact him, to thank him for saving my life, but he does not answer!”

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Important to notice: His first experiences with Greeks had been very good!

“While crossing the Evros border, I was very very scared that the Greek police would catch me and beat the hell out of me!” Instead, they caught me (and other immigrants) and gave us food and medical care. I did not believe it. I could not eat, because I was soooo happy that they were so kind to us!”

Three months in the detention center:

Contrary to all the other stories S. believed detention camp was ok. “Second Captain, mister Isitis even gave me a leather jacket because I was feeling cold.”

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After being released from the detention center: Pink Card!

Now in Athens:

“I have good experiences with Greek people, they help when- and wherever they can, not only with money.” “some told me before that Greeks are racists, but once in Greece I feel like being in Europe, I feel good, I am happy and feel secure and free!”

This of course does not apply to all Somalian people in Athens !!! Many are still without pink card, afraid of Greek police who arrest them because they are illegal, which happens very often.

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Abdurazak Hassan Abdi (illegal Somalian): “I have been here for 5 months and already 3 times I went to prison, because I do not have a pink card.”

S.:”I have a Somalian friend who stayed here for 6 months and he became mentally ill.”

A. (Somalian tourist in Athens): “I cried when I came here, because even Somalian women are begging on the streets to survive, but the Greek government does not care!”

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BUT... there are not only unpleasant stories.

One Somalian individual aged approximately 28:

“I work helping tourists; to help them find their hotels etc., because if the police find me with white people the police will not arrest me.”

He thinks that the EU immigration policy should take an example from the policy of the U.S.

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How Xrisi Avgi is seen by several authorities and organisations

Greek police officer EGAM Greek lawyer

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… by a Greek police officer (male 30)

It is quite difficult to be a police officer in Athens. There are places where their life is at risk. Especially, because they are equipped with old weapons etc. (guns that were used during WWII), since they themselves have to pay for all of this. Additionally, it is not only the immigrants that the police have do deal with. Even the ordinary Greek citizen can turn against the police by trowing stones, molotov cocktails etc.

As such, according to G. the most important thing to keep in mind is that: Greek police officers always need to protect themselves first , before others.

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His opinion about immigrants: “Immigrants are people who came for a better life but cannot find a job and so start stealing or selling drugs.”

However, he also says that if he passes immigrants sleeping on the street, the first thing he does is to check whether (s)he is alive and if (s)he needs help.

According to the lawer: Greek police do have to arrest those immigrants not possessing legal documents, whereafter the procedure of deportation starts.

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His views regarding the Golden Dawn:

“The members of the Golden Dawn help people who are hungry and they give people jobs. Whether you can call them Nazis, I don't know. Maybe yes, maybe no.”

He arrests those people who are illegal, but also people offending the police or committing any other crime. This would also include members of the Golden Dawn, IF they would do something wrong.

Interesting to note: G.’s posture is well built, dressed in black clothes and his head shaved

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A common view held by Greek citizens is: In order to be 24/7 satisfied, a Greek has to walk with a policeman on one side and with a street cleaner on the other.

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… by mister M. part of EGAM

M. is a member of the European Grassroots Antiracist Movement, EGAM. EGAM was launched in November 2010 under the impetus of SOS Racisme (France) to structure and empower the European antiracist civil society. Nowadays, this organisation encompasses approximately forty antiracist civil society organisations from all over Europe and is actively involved in making the continent free of racism, antisemitism and racial discrimination.

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According to M., Golden Dawn attacks many many immigrants. In many of these cases the police seems to be involved and members of the Golden Dawn. That means, when immigrants who got attacked go to the police, the police simply says:”Say that you have been beaten up during a conflict between you and someone else.”

M.:”There is increasing support for Golden Dawn, now it is the third party. This means that we need to stop them. We should prevent the representatives of Golden Dawn from continuing. We have to stop them and convince all the political parties in Parliament!”

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… by a Greek lawyer

K. is a lawyer, defending immigrants in Athens who are not able to get legal support because they are illegal. Only in penal cases do you get support.

K. views on Golden Dawn

“Xrisi Avgi is not an extreme right party anymore. It is really a NAZI-party!”

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“Golden Dawn had an enormous influence and appeal amongst the people and in elections. In the last three years this party grew enormously and there were many attacks on migrants, whereby the Greek police was fully supporting Golden Dawn members. In the area of Agios Pantelimonas, the police is on the side of the members of Golden Dawn.”

That Greek police officers, especially in the area of Agios Pantelimonas are supporting the members of Golden Dawn, becomes clear in several cases like Kayu's case.

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K. (Tanzanian Community)

Just before the trial about the attacks on the Tanzanian community started, Kourtovik found Kayu being detained in a cell at the police station together with two other members of the community. Suddenly outside the police station, several members of Golden Dawn gathered together.

K.: “we believe that police officers contact Golden Dawn members to keep them informed.”

Additionally, K. and other Tanzanians recognised several members of Golden Dawn who had attacked them, but their lives were threatened if they did not withdraw their accusations.

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For the rest, according to K., the police officers are obliged to arrest those immigrants who are illegal, and without proper documents. Once arrested, they can be deported unless they ask for asylum.

Why Golden Dawn attacks the immigrants:

“Because they want them to leave, scare them, send them the message. Their aim is to have the people at their side. They use immigrants and the problems they bring as a weapon to get more support for their party in order to survive as a party.”

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The profile of Golden Dawn is changing.

– At first, the members of Golden Dawn were very aggressive when they had just entered Parliament

– Now, they try to behave like the other Parliamen-tarians; wearing suits etc.

In the last 2 months the attacks have decreased because:

– People start having ideas about what NAZI's are. First they did not know, because nobody talked about it. Nowadays, people start talking about the fact that this party has a NAZI ideology and start mobilising against them.

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Conclusion

– Worldwide, Golden Dawn (Xrisi Avgi) is seen as a 'Nazi-party' or as 'the cleaners'.

– Other views on Golden Dawn among Greek citizens: racists, helpers, cleaners, protectors, people who believe it is a party without an ideology, or they vote for them out of protest

– Contradiction between how the Greek police officer sees Golden Dawn and their real practices (police officers involved with Golden Dawn)

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– Those (illegal) immigrants who don't know Golden Dawn are only afraid of the police. Those (illegal) immigrants who do know Golden Dawn are: EITHER very afraid of the members of Golden Dawn, OR like K., they are not afraid and just try everything to disclose the actions of the Golden Dawn in order to make THEM (the members of Golden Dawn) afraid.

– Distinction between those who believe Golden Dawn has grown during last years, because of the combination: economic crisis + foreigners. Others believe that the party has grown due to the stories of the media (foreigners steal, kill etc.).

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Google Earth

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Follow-up study

Undercover Small present for interviewers

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Thank you

Nederlands Instituut Athene