Blog 7: Anti Immigrant Golden Dawn rises in Greece

Anti-immigrant Golden Dawn rises in Greece

 

At first glance, strolling through the corrupted city of Athens, Greece, you would think that standard issue military were patrolling the streets in the camouflage and fatigues. In reality these rebels are flaunting black shirts emblazoned with modified swastika. This symbol is the mark of the very ultra conservative Golden Dawn party, who has won their first seat in Greek parliament this summer. They proudly flaunt the slogan “Get the Stench out of Greece”, proposing Greek purification of non-Grecian natives. These people are getting major support from local businesses and also the police. Now that they have political power there is sure to be a stir in Greece’s society. The party and its supporters have been accused of unleashing harsh violence against immigrants, burning and smashing their living quarters, merchant’s stands, and businesses. The violence doesn’t stop there as one of their legislators recently slapped a liberal female politician on national television. If Greek society is forced out of the euro then there is fear of an erupting civil war.

 

Greece is facing some terrible social conflict; Not only politically but in ethnic division and gender roles. I don’t understand why people would elect officials who condone violence against their own people and others, and that would terrorize a people who want nothing more than to help establish and build their economy. Maybe they shouldn’t worry about who is coming into their country, but what they are going to do about their currency and economy is they get kicked out of the euro. I found it funny that Elias Panagiotaros, one of the new legislators of the party denied that the party is engaging in these attacks on the immigrants, yet, he added, “that ethnic Greeks have the right to protect themselves and their property from all these illegal savages”. How do you call the non-violent group savages?

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/anti-immigrant-golden-dawn-rises-in-greece/2012/10/20/e7128296-17a6-11e2-a346-f24efc680b8d_story.html