Innocent and guilty

The unanimous condemnation of Golden Dawn The Greek judiciary’s decision (despite the prosecutor’s entirely different recommendation) sparked a debate about who was involved and how this historic ruling came about.

So let's set the record straight on a few things:

-No one has the right to claim to be the «owner» of the anti-fascist movement.

-If we want to say who contributed the most, we must certainly start with the heroic Magda Fyssa, the witnesses who did not recant their testimony despite the pressure exerted on them, and the plaintiffs’ attorneys.

-The broad political and social movement that demanded the condemnation of this fascist organization played a catalytic role. If it weren’t for the tens of thousands who took part in the protests and posted on social media that «they are not innocent,» and who had participated in a series of protests in previous years, this outcome likely would not have been achieved. Unfortunately, this movement was not supported by all political parties!

-The investigations and revelations carried out by a number of media outlets and certain journalists were decisive and crucial. Among them, allow me to single out the Efimerida ton Syntakton newspaper, and specifically Dimitris and Ada Psarra. The newspaper’s edition on Saturday, October 3, featuring statements from all political leaders, was decisive.

It sent a message to Greek society—as well as to the «powers that be»—that there would be no social acceptance of any decision other than absolute condemnation. Yes, it was particularly positive that Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Alexis Tsipras, Fofi Gennimata, Dimitris Koutsoubas, Yanis Varoufakis, and Antonis Samaras.

Those who were «upset» because the newspaper published an op-ed by former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras (who holds far-right views), probably don’t understand what kind of society they live in and how important it is to isolate fascists from everyone—literally everyone… When everyone rallies around a popular demand, those in power cannot ignore it!

At the large rally on October 7, there were a great many of us, but not all of us were there. This, of course, has always been the case in our country. Not everyone took part in the 1821 revolution, nor in the resistance against the Germans, nor in the struggle against the junta. Of course, «the day after,» everyone declared their presence with the certainty of the outcome and claimed their share of glory and power…

At the rally on October 7, some people simply could not attend for many different reasons (work, fear of COVID-19, etc.). Others simply didn’t believe in the power of society and protests, didn’t trust the justice system, or didn’t want the Golden Dawn members to be punished! These people (the latter) also exist in Greek society, and those who don’t realize this should prepare now to express their «surprise» or to «be taken completely by surprise» the next time we see behavior stemming from the «far-right agenda.» For while the leaders of Golden Dawn were convicted, part of their ideology—this social hatred they spread throughout Greek society—has «taken root» in certain segments of the population… Racism, anti-Semitism, and «aversion» to anything different are all offspring of Golden Dawn’s rhetoric.

Finally, certain politicians, journalists, and media outlets that have taken care in recent times to present society with a «polished» image of Golden Dawn: Those who welcomed Michaloliakos’s henchmen onto their shows with smiles, who did lifestyle features on their weddings, relationships, their social «sensitivity»—and who even envisioned a role for them in the political affairs of a «serious Golden Dawn»… There was also one (a current New Democracy MP) who felt sympathy for Roupakia (who is a «wreck») while describing Magda Fyssa as «easy.».

Not worth mentioning…

The conviction of Golden Dawn also presents an opportunity for society and the political parties: to rediscover common ground that may be crucial in the times we live in… Of course there are differences, of course we’re not all the same, and of course each of us may envision a different society, but there are also points that have now become common ground for those who do not want to resort to populism. The differences are well-known, real, and perhaps overemphasized. Shall we look at some other points as well???;