THEY WILL NOT PASS: Behind the Barricades of Greek Anti-fascism

As has been well documented in the media, the nation of Greece is in the throes of an economic meltdown. Austerity measures aimed at paying off an astronomical debt load have plunged the economy into a death spiral, and sparked nationwide protests and strikes. Unemployment is at 27 percent and climbing.

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Much as the Nazis arose in Weimar Germany by exploiting similar economic conditions, Golden Dawn, an avowedly fascist political party, has been rapidly gaining power in Greece. Once an unimportant fringe group, Golden Dawn captured seven percent of the seats in parliament in the most recent election. Armed with government funding and the tacit cooperation of thepolice (many of whom are Golden Dawn members), fascists have adopted astrategy of terrorizing Greece's immigrant population while offering rudimentary social services restricted to Greek citizens.

Ordinary Greeks are mobilizing to prevent the fascist takeover of their country. Neighborhood assemblies, Immigrant solidarity groups, labor unions and other civil society organizations are resisting both Golden Dawn and the destructive government policies that created the economic collapse. Greek activists Sofia Papagiannaki, Thanasis Xirotsopanos, Vangelis Nanos, and Pavlos recently spoke at the University of Rochester about fascism and resistance in their country  The event was organized by Rochester Red and Black and The University of Rochester Students for a Democratic Society.