In defense of Workers’ Solidarity
In response to anti-fascist organizing by the socialists in Greece who publish Workers' Solidarity newspaper, the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn has accused three people associated with the paper of "defamation." The three were scheduled to appear in court last week.
This trial is one in a series of lawsuits filed by the neo-Nazis and their supporters, with many organizations on the left being targeted. The government, meanwhile, has attempted to claim that anti-fascists are one of "two extremes" from which Greece must be defended. But in contrast to Golden Dawn, the only "crime" of the anti-fascists is to challenge the violence of the neo-Nazis against immigrants and the left. The three socialists from Workers' Democracy have the support of unions, particularly the state broadcasters' union, but also general councils of the main union federations GSEE and ADEDY, which have passed resolutions defending Workers' Solidarity.
We stand in support of Workers' Solidarity and call for the charges against its publisher, editor and writer to be dropped. Here, we reprint a statement in solidarity with anti-fascist activists.
THE WEEKLY paper Workers' Solidarity faces prosecution in court on December 12 as a result of its antiracist and antifascist stand. Katerina Thoidou, journalist, Tasos Anastasiades, publisher, and Panos Garganas, editor, are to stand trial, accused of "defamation" by a lawyer, Ioannis Andriopoulos who is a salaried assistant to a Golden Dawn member of parliament.
At a time when the criminal activities of the neo-Nazis of Golden Dawn are under official investigation, it is an outrage that antifascists should be taken to court. This court case should have been dismissed and an investigation opened on the connections of Andriopoulos with the neo-Nazi murderers.
We denounce the ongoing attempts to target the left through the "theory of two extremes." This is the context of this trial.
We call on all organizations of the labor and popular movements as well as democratic public opinion to declare their solidarity for the three accused and for Workers' Solidarity.
See the full list of signatories here. Send signatures to ergatiki@otenet.gr.
