American Solidarity With Greek Uprising

Here is a brief list of marches, protests, banner-drops and acts of sabotage carried out by Americans in solidarity with the Greek uprising as part of yesterday's International Day of SolidarityAgainst State Murders:

Tacoma, WA, USA: "Early on the morning of the 20th, in memory of the 15 year old hero Alexandros Grigoropoulos and all those murdered by the police and other defenders of this false and rotting order, and in memory of our own lives, fuel hoses were slashed, pump consoles were destroyed, and the message "walk to work and murder your boss" was left at two Shell stations and two Chevron stations in Tacoma." (source)

Portland, OR, USA: "40 people or so marched through downtown Portland streets on a very snowy Saturday night in solidarity with the insurrection in Greece and against state repression everywhere.

Chants of "from Portland to Greece, these are our streets!" and "rain or snow the police must go!" were met with cheers by many of the people who were downtown during the blizzard, some even joined the march with their own chants of "F-ck the Police!"

The march encountered only one cop who was laughed off when he asked "who is the leader?". a window broke at a large department store (nordstrom rack?), and circle A's appeared on doors and buildings in the wake of the march." (source)

San Francisco, CA, USA: "A band of demonstrators, many wearing black masks, stormed a bustling San Francisco mall Saturday evening, upending garbage cans and foliage and damaging crystal merchandise at one kiosk.

An estimated 50 to 75 people were involved in the disruption at Westfield San Francisco Centre, police said.

According to mall management, the protesters were part of a "Solidarity with Greek Uprising" demonstration. An international day of action was called on Saturday to protest the death of a young man in Greece in early December." (source)

Kansas City, MO, USA: "Late Saturday night we visited the Mexican Embassy at 16th and Baltimore in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

We did so to pay our respects to all those murdered by the state: in Greece, Mexico, the United States -- everywhere. We used bricks, paint, and stealth.

We are enraged by the slaying of our compas. We don't forgive and we don't forget. We attack." (source)

Iowa City, IA, USA: "On December 20 2008 we declare solidarity with the Greek insurrection, the Chicago factory workers who staged a sit-in at their workplace, the New School students who demanded their voice heard and the Augusta, Georgia community who moved to act against a police killing.

One week ago a call out was issued from Greece for International Solidarity against police brutality on Dec 20. This call out comes in the midst of the most civil unrest in Greece in over 35 years. Alexandros Grigoropoulos, a 15 year old Anarchist, was murdered in Athens on December 6. Immediately following mass rioting ensued, with prominent attacks on banking institutions and government offices. Since then there have been daily demonstrations and attacks against institutions of power in Greece. Throughout Europe and North America several solidarity demonstrations and actions have took place.

Whether it is taking over your workplace, occupying buildings at your school, or combating the police when they kill one of your own, this spirit of resistance we stand in solidarity with and hope that it spreads amongst us all. Only then will a just society truly be possible." (source)

NC, USA: "On Saturday, December 20th, in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham, NC, roving bands of anarchists dropped several banners to show solidarity with the current uprising in Greece. This was done in concert with dozens of other actions across the country, in response to a call put out by Greek comrades for international solidarity on this day. Some pictures are included here for your viewing enjoyment. On Saturday, December 20th, in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham, NC, roving bands of anarchists dropped several banners to show solidarity with the current uprising in Greece. This was done in concert with dozens of other actions across the country, in response to a call put out by Greek comrades for international solidarity on this day.

Banners reading, “This isn’t a bailout, this is a stickup!“, “15 is too young to die; Solidarity with Greece,” and “Rob the banks before they rob you!“, among other things, were hung around town and on highway overpasses. We hope that these banners could serve as a small reminder to drivers and pedestrians that many of the world’s eyes are on the struggle in Greece, which has kindled the hearts and minds of downtrodden folks around the world. Perhaps these solidarity actions will just be the beginning, and we will be able to connect the Greek struggle with the same economic and social forces oppressing and exploiting us here in the States." (source)

Denver, CO, USA: "While most people were driving in a hurry from one holiday shopping excursion to the next a small group of angry elves took to a bridge in the heart of Denver and dropped two banners. These banners hung in hopes to remind people that struggle still exists both in Greece and at home.

The banners that hung over I-25 in between Speer Blvd. and 20th St. read:

"Greece burns for us (a)ll! Denver is next! (a)"
"Dear DPD, News from Greece: cops are flammable! xoxo, (a)"" (source)

OK, USA: "Throughout Saturday the twentieth, there were multiple banners dropped in solidarity with the insurrectionary activity taking place in Greece.

Such banners, normally ignored by the corporate media, hang to let those who are too wrapped up in their daily work schedules, as well as those scrambling around to finish holiday shopping, know that this shit doesn't have to be. There is an option outside of this rat race of society and there are people demanding it. The status quo, the 'business as usual' can be shaken up. Every stem of capitalism can be shaken to a breaking point and if those rushing from one big outlet mall to the next were to say- consider someone else? We might further actualize such an alternative.

These banners that hung blatantly in downtown Oklahoma City, Norman, and Edmond, Oklahoma were donned with text such as "Bored? Try insurrection! (Alex Was Here)" "Let's Hold Hands While We Kill Cops | Lovin' Solidarity" and "No More Victims Of State Violence, Solidarity With Greece Insurrection" among others.

One that hung strongly across the way and in plain view from Oklahoma City main police headquarters in downtown read "Thugs In Uniform Stop Killing Our Friends!" and another not too far away read "Athens is Burning! Why Not Here? End state repression!"" (source)

Modesto, CA, USA: "For nearly two years anarchists have stayed off the streets of Modesto as an organized presence. That is until last night. After a gathering of about 30 people at a local coffee shop, where comrades discussed the situation in Greece and read aloud a text from a prepared flyer on the revolt and how it relates to what is happening in the Central Valley of California, about 20-25 people took to the streets of downtown Modesto. Many of those in attendance that night had never engaged with others or organized themselves for such an activity as taking over a street for a march, so for many of the working class hooligan youths who marched for about 10 minutes to the downtown area of 10th and J Street, last night was a learning experience. Marchers held a large banner in front reading, “Solidarity With Greece! For Global Resistance!,” carried signs such as, “No Justice, No Peace! From Modesto to Greece,” and several youths carried anarchist black flags. The group chanted, “Who’s Streets? Our Streets,” and variations of, “From Modesto to Greece: Fight the Police!”

Right as the group approach it’s desired endpoint, the police showed up. The group did not stop and marched into the downtown blocked off street of 10th and J Street. There, youths engaged with the public and passed out several hundred flyers on car windows and to passersby. Although it was cold and not many people were about, we still accomplished our goal of taking the street, holding it, marching to our destination, and then engaging with people.

Members of Modesto Anarcho Crew (MAC - wat wat) also made it clear that the conditions in the Central Valley are just as ripe for insurrection and revolution as Greece. Several people pointed out that a young man of color was just shot to death by pigs in Stockton (about 20 minutes north of Modesto) when he came out of his house in a high crime neighborhood with a licensed firearm during the arrest of another man. The Greeks should not have all the fun. We have buildings to occupy, police to fight, and resources to appropriate as well." (source)

Rochestor, NY, USA: "Two weeks ago in Athens, Greece, a 16 year old anarchist got shot in the back of the head by a cop. Rochester SDS - Students for a Democratic Society -organized a march of approximately 20 people on December 20th, a day of international solidarity, to support the uprising that is happening in Greece and spread the word about what is going on. The demonstrators marched from Washington Square park to the News 10 NBC building on East Avenue where SDS delivered a statement to the corporate media. In addition to condemning the murder of Alexandros Grigoropoulos, SDS demanded that local media cover the uprising in Greece." (source)