Social movements' "counter-summit" in Thessaloniki

25 June 2003

The EU Summit in Porto Carras had its mirror event in Thessaloniki from 17-22 June. These events organised by few different groups gathered around 100 000 people during four days of demonstrations, workshops, seminars and cultural events. Thessaloniki University, Congress Centre �Vellidio� and Royal Theatre were �occupied� by civil society groups which presented an alternative view on the issues that were discussed 20 kilometers away in Porto Carras.

The topics dealt with were, amongst others: intercultural education, institutional consolidation of the civil society in the european institution, individuality, democracy and fundamental rights, social rights in an enlarged Europe. Debates attracted many people who gave their personal contributions. Special part of the program was dedicated to EU enlargement with emphasis on the future of the Balkan countries in this context. During the session held in the Royal Theatre on Saturday morning was presented Osservatorio sui Balcani/ICS appeal �Europe beyond borders� and this September event �Danube: Europe is meeting�; on the previous day, Friday 20th, demonstrations were held against �Fortress Europe� defending Rights of Immigrants and Refugees.

According to estimates (personal ones, not those of the GSF) approximately 65.000 - 70.000 protesters flooded downtown Thessaloniki on the last day of the manifestation, Saturday 21st June. The peaceful demonstrators that joined the block of Greek Social Forum (GSF) exceeded the 30.000. The block of the Communist Party (KKE) was approximately the same size.
Four other blocks were present too: Initiative "Thessaloniki - Struggle 2003" (other communist groups - Maoist, Trotskist etc., apart the KKE), Black Block ("Anarchist" block who had made clear it was aiming to direct confrontation and fight with the police forces), AK SALONICA 2003 (Antiauthoritarian and Anarchist block who were disagreeing on the "violence for the violence" practice of the "black block", and Initiative "Resistance 2003" (a Maoist group), approx. 600-800.

Unfortunately as organisers from GSF said, coverage of the counter-summit debates, workshops and events by the media was not adequate. Same applies to protests and demonstrations that were held throughout the four days of the event. The media, instead of mentioning the tens of thousands of protesters, were mainly focusing on the damages on several banks, restaurants and other shops (supermarkets, bookstores, kiosks etc.) in the city centre, caused by the "black" block during the Saturday marches. This behaviour of the media was expected, as organisers said. �Media like shows of any kind, especially those including violence and blood�. This was also a good excuse for them to avoid covering events organised against neoliberalism and the decisions of the EU leaders.
In any case, what is stated by GSF is that the largest achievement of the social movements and the citizens initiatives in Greece was the realisation of a counter-summit, which gave the opportunity to a few thousands of individual participants, or groups and citizens initiatives, to exchange ideas, opinions, information and experience, to renew or create new networks, and to interlink ongoing activities.

Being witness of violence exercised by militant anarchists I would add that the 90 ravaged (and some burned) shops spoiled the pleasant atmosphere of the counter summit but didn�t provoke many reactions and statements from the organisers side, since the incidents were completely out of their hands.
The authorities, on the other side, claimed that they had succeeded in protecting human lives and that nobody resulted injured during demonstrations because the clear orders given to the Police: �protecting lives at any material cost�. In particular, as the Minister for Macedonia and Trace stated in an interview for a local TV, they totally succeeded �in preventing another Genoa� to happen.