Yesterday May 20, a new very successful strike took place in Greece. Despite the tragedy of Marfin bank and the government black propaganda, the streets of Athens for once more were filled with people. It is estimated that about 50.000 participated in the demo (20.000 according to the police, 70.000 according to the trade unions) although the access to the city centre was very difficult because of the strike in public transport. The demonstration was totally peaceful (probably the most peaceful demonstration since many years). The participation in the strike was very high in the public sector but less in the private

The working people marched against the IMF-EU-Greek government plan. Their particular focus for this strike was the reform of the pensions-system. According the new law which is going to be voted in a few weeks, there will be a new severe reduction on pensions, the workers should work at least 40 years before their retirement, the basic pension will be 360 euros, and the state will stop financing the deficits of the public pension system. Furthermore, the new system will be based on the principle “you get what you pay” and there will be no special support for those who get low salaries or who are unemployed for many years.

Although it was well known form the beginning that this was going to be very peaceful demo, the police made 98 “preventive arrests” of people who were going to the demo (everybody was set free after the end of the demo). The solidarity delegation of the Youth of French Communist Party was also arrested (long hair and no Greek speaking…). We have to note that these preventive arrests are not legal and in reality they are state terror acts.

The next general strike will be on early June (it is going to be the 6^th since the beginning of the austerity plan). On May 29 there will be a day of action.

You can find photos and videos of the Athens demo here:

http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=1173150

and here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4R0FVNbKNE&feature=youtube_gdata

Yannis Almpanis, member of the Network for Political and Social Rights